Dow Jones Industrial Average

What moves it

• Price-weighted construction means a high-priced member moves the average more than a larger company with a lower share price.
• Industrial, healthcare and consumer earnings rather than the technology complex.

The Canadian angle

Useful as a headline reference and little else for portfolio work; the S&P 500 is the more representative United States benchmark.

How to read it: Because it is price-weighted, the Dow's percentage move can diverge from the S&P 500 on the same day without either being wrong.