Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility

Who's in "The Dow"?

By Selena Maranjian – Updated Nov 15, 2016 at 1:09AM

You’re reading a free article with opinions that may differ from The Motley Fool’s Premium Investing Services. Become a Motley Fool member today to get instant access to our top analyst recommendations, in-depth research, investing resources, and more. Learn More

The Dow is an average based on the stock prices of 30 companies.

You might hear the term "The Dow" a lot, but odds are, you're not entirely aware of which companies make up the Dow -- more formally known as The Dow Jones Industrial Average. Many people don't realize it, but the Dow is merely an average based on the stock prices of 30 companies. Yes, out of thousands and thousands of existing companies, just 30 make up the Dow. Here are a few:

  • AIG
  • Alcoa
  • Altria Group
  • American Express
  • Boeing
  • DuPont
  • ExxonMobil
  • General Motors
  • Merck
  • United Technologies

The list could change at any time, but it actually doesn't change all that often. (For the full list, click here.) The last time it changed was in April of 2004, when Bill Mann recapped the switcheroos. The list above may remain as is for years. (Learn about the math behind the Dow.)

You can invest in mutual funds or exchange-traded funds that are based on many different indices, such as the Dow. Learn more in our Mutual Fund area, and zero in on our index fund information there.

And though the list of the index's components is impressive, there are actually some good reasons to ignore the Dow. Learn why in "The Dow Is Useless."

By the way, if you'd like to receive several promising stock ideas delivered via email each month, learn more about our suite of investment newsletters, which are offered along with some free research reports. Their performance may surprise you. You can also learn all about brokerages and find one that's right for you in our Broker Center. Did you know that some well-regarded brokerages are offering commissions as low as $5?

DuPont is an Income Investor selection, and Merck used to be one.

Longtime Fool contributor Selena Maranjian owns shares of no company listed in this article. The Fool has a disclosure policy.

None

Invest Smarter with The Motley Fool

Join Over 1 Million Premium Members Receiving…

  • New Stock Picks Each Month
  • Detailed Analysis of Companies
  • Model Portfolios
  • Live Streaming During Market Hours
  • And Much More
Get Started Now

Stocks Mentioned

Altria Group, Inc. Stock Quote
Altria Group, Inc.
MO
$41.68 (-3.67%) $-1.59
American Express Company Stock Quote
American Express Company
AXP
$140.26 (-1.94%) $-2.77
Alcoa Inc. Stock Quote
Alcoa Inc.
AA
AT&T Inc. Stock Quote
AT&T Inc.
T
$16.01 (-1.42%) $0.23
The Boeing Company Stock Quote
The Boeing Company
BA
$131.26 (-5.37%) $-7.45
American International Group, Inc. Stock Quote
American International Group, Inc.
AIG
$49.77 (-2.81%) $-1.44
3M Company Stock Quote
3M Company
MMM
$112.99 (-1.01%) $-1.15

*Average returns of all recommendations since inception. Cost basis and return based on previous market day close.

Related Articles

Motley Fool Returns

Motley Fool Stock Advisor

Market-beating stocks from our award-winning analyst team.

Stock Advisor Returns
329%
 
S&P 500 Returns
106%

Calculated by average return of all stock recommendations since inception of the Stock Advisor service in February of 2002. Returns as of 09/24/2022.

Discounted offers are only available to new members. Stock Advisor list price is $199 per year.

Premium Investing Services

Invest better with The Motley Fool. Get stock recommendations, portfolio guidance, and more from The Motley Fool's premium services.