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What is S&P 500?
The S&P 500 tracks the stock performance of 500 large companies listed on U.S. exchanges, and is widely regarded as one of the best gauges of the overall U.S. stock market and economy.
Companies are selected for the index by a committee based on criteria including market capitalization, liquidity, and profitability. The index is weighted by market capitalization, meaning larger companies have a greater influence on its overall movement.
How to Trade S&P 500 — Exchanges, Strategies & Risk Management
Where SPX is traded
The S&P 500 index itself isn't directly tradable, but investors gain exposure through index funds and ETFs such as SPY and VOO, or through futures and options contracts based on the index.
Common trading approaches
Because the S&P 500 represents a broad cross-section of the U.S. economy, many investors use it as a long-term, diversified core holding rather than trying to trade its short-term movements. Others use S&P 500-tracking products for shorter-term hedging or tactical positioning.
Risk management basics
While broader than a single stock, the S&P 500 still moves with overall U.S. stock market conditions and can decline during economic downturns. Time horizon and overall portfolio allocation are common considerations when deciding how much exposure to hold.
This section is educational and general in nature — it is not personalized financial advice. Any trading or investment decision should be based on your own research and risk tolerance.
Key facts
- Introduced in 1957
- Weighted by market capitalization
- Maintained by S&P Dow Jones Indices
Quick answers
What is the S&P 500?
The S&P 500 is a stock market index tracking 500 large companies listed on U.S. exchanges, widely used as a benchmark for the overall U.S. stock market.
How are companies chosen for the S&P 500?
A committee selects companies based on criteria such as market capitalization, liquidity, and profitability.
Is the S&P 500 price-weighted or market-cap weighted?
The S&P 500 is weighted by market capitalization, so larger companies have a greater influence on the index's movement.
Where can I view live S&P 500 charts?
You can view a live, interactive S&P 500 chart above, or open it in the full multi-chart grid using the button on this page.
How many companies are in the S&P 500?
The S&P 500 tracks 500 large-cap US companies, selected by a committee based on criteria including market value, liquidity, and profitability — the exact roster changes periodically as companies are added or removed.
Can I invest directly in the S&P 500?
You can't buy the index itself, but many investors gain exposure to its performance through index funds or ETFs designed to track the S&P 500 by holding the same companies in similar proportions.