Dow Jones question: how many companies are tracked by

[DebJ]

the Dow Jones? I used to know that answer years and years ago. My husband says only 25. I know that's not right. Anyone know?

[htuttle]

1. Google says 30

http://www.investopedia.com/university/indexes/index2.asp

It's also price weighted, so some companies affect the index more than others.

[SheilaT]

2. 30 is the correct number.

In the late 19th century a list of 12, later 20 stocks was used as a market indicator. On October 1, 1928 the Down Jones Industrial Average as we know it debuted. The original list was:

Allied Chemical General Railway Signal Sears, Roebuck
American Can Goodrich Standard Oil (N.J.)
American Smelting International Harvester Texas Corp.
American Sugar International Nickel Texas Gulf Sulphur American Tobacco B Mack Truck Union Carbide
Atlantic Refining Nash Motors U.S. Steel
Bethlehem Steel North American Victor Talking Machine Chrysler Paramount Publix Westinghouse Electric
General Electric Postum Inc. Woolworth General Motors Radio Corp. Wright Aeronautical

I'm not sure any of those are still on the list.