US Markets

What this unit covers

Meet the major US exchanges and indices, NYSE, NASDAQ and the S&P 500, and see why they matter to an Indian investor who has never bought a US share.

By the end you will be able to

• Explain what NYSE and NASDAQ are, comparing them to India's NSE and BSE.
• Describe what the S&P 500 measures and why it is shown as one number.
• Recognise that a move in the S&P 500 can indirectly touch Indian markets without owning US shares.

How it starts: A Number From Far Away

1. A news app on your phone shows the S&P 500 down 1.2 percent overnight.
2. You own no US shares, so you almost close the app at once.
3. Why would a number from an unfamiliar market bother telling you anything at all?

Words you will meet

S&P 500

A single number tracking the combined performance of 500 large US companies.

NYSE

A US marketplace where shares of companies are bought and sold.

NASDAQ

Another US marketplace for shares, known for listing many technology companies.

Market Sentiment

The general mood or feeling investors share about where prices are headed next.

In this module: Global Markets

1. US Markets (this unit)
2. European Markets
3. Asian Markets
4. How Global Markets Affect India