Blog
Notes on the S&P 500 and the market
Explainers, methodology breakdowns, and updates on the companies that make up the index.
- 6 min read
What is the S&P 500? A complete guide for beginners
The S&P 500 tracks the 500 largest U.S. public companies and is widely seen as the benchmark for the U.S. stock market. Here's how it works, why it matters, and how to invest in it.
- 5 min read
How is the S&P 500 weighted? Market-cap weighting explained
The S&P 500 is weighted by free-float market capitalization, which means the biggest companies have an outsized influence on the index. Here's how the math actually works.
- 6 min read
S&P 500 vs Dow Jones vs Nasdaq-100: how the three indices differ
All three are quoted constantly in market news, but they measure very different things. Here's how the S&P 500, Dow Jones Industrial Average, and Nasdaq-100 stack up.
- 6 min read
How companies get added to (and removed from) the S&P 500
The S&P 500 isn't a fixed list — it changes several times a year. Here's how the selection committee decides who joins, who leaves, and what triggers a reshuffle.
- 7 min read
The 10 largest companies in the S&P 500
A handful of mega-cap names dominate the S&P 500 — together making up roughly a third of the index. Here's who they are, what they do, and why they matter.
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