S&P 500 Vs. Nasdaq Vs. Dow Jones

In this data-driven guide we’ll explain (and show you) the differences between these 3 key market measures used to gauge the overall US stock market and economy. But, when comparing the S&P 500 vs Nasdaq vs Dow Jones, there are a few key details to wrap your head around first.

S&P 500 vs Nasdaq vs Dow Jones basics

Firstly, the Nasdaq is a stock exchange (a marketplace where stocks can be bought and sold). But, when people refer to “the Nasdaq”, they could also be referring to the popular Nasdaq 100 index or the Nasdaq Composite. These are both stock markets indices.

An index is just a list of stocks that’s tracked as a way to measure performance. The Nasdaq 100 is the top 100 stocks on the Nasdaq exchange, and that’s the “Nasdaq” we’ll be focusing on this guide.

The S&P 500 is also a stock marekt index, made up of 500 of the biggest and best US stocks. And finally, the Dow Jones Industrial Average (or simply “The Dow”) is a hand-picked selection of 30 US stocks and is “price-weighted” rather than “market-cap weighted” like the Nasdaq 100 and S&P 500.

At a glance

Index performances over time

As you can see from the graphs below, to an extent these indices can mirror each other. Hover over or tap the dots to see what happened when.

Search companies in the 3 indices

You can use this table to see where the S&P 500, the Nasdaq 100 and the Dow Jones overlap.

How to invest

Index funds and exchange-traded funds (ETF) are a way to invest in a group of stocks in one fell swoop. Here are some of the most popular funds tracking these three indices.

• S&P funds
• Nasdaq funds
• Dow Jones funds

ETF	Icon	1-year performance (to Nov. '26)	5-year performance (to Nov. '26)	Link
Invesco S&P 500 ETF (SPXP)		-98.78%	-98.09%	Invest Capital at risk
Xtrackers S&P 500 Swap ETF 1C (XSPX)		21.57%	90.62%	Invest Capital at risk
HSBC S&P 500 ETF (HSPX)		20.26%	79.84%	Invest Capital at risk
iShares Core S&P 500 ETF USD (Acc) (CSP1)		21.44%	89.53%	Invest Capital at risk
SPDR® S&P 500 ETF (SPX5)		20.30%	78.68%	Invest Capital at risk
Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (VUSA)		20.26%	78.55%	Invest Capital at risk

ETF	Icon	1-year performance (to Nov. '26)	5-year performance (to Nov. '26)	Link
iShares NASDAQ 100 ETF USD (Acc) (CNX1)		29.24%	110.99%	Invest Capital at risk
Xtrackers NASDAQ 100 ETF (XNAS)		29.63%	91.86% (3 years)	Invest Capital at risk
Invesco NASDAQ-100 Swap ETF GBP (EQSG)		29.52%	113.37%	Invest Capital at risk
Amundi Nasdaq-100 USD (ANXG)		29.48%	113.26%	Invest Capital at risk

ETF	Icon	1-year performance (to Nov. '26)	5-year performance (to Nov. '26)	Link
iShares Dow Jones Indust Avg ETF USD Acc (CIND)		19.90%	60.41%	Invest Capital at risk
Lyxor Dow Jones Industrial Average D-EUR (DJEL)		18.97%	57.17%	Invest Capital at risk

Platforms to invest in the Dow, Nasdaq or S&P

These trading apps allow you to buy shares in individual companies within the 3 indices if you want to pick and choose your favourites. Or alternatively you can invest in all the stocks on each index using an index fund or exchange-traded fund (ETF).

Best for 0% commission stocks

Finder Award

Go to Site

Capital at risk. Fees apply. T&Cs apply

Copy picks from top traders

• Commission-free trades
• Fractional shares
• Free to open an account

Best for active investing

Go to Site

Capital at risk. T&Cs apply

Get up to £300 in free shares

• Commission-free trades
• 11,000+ stocks & ETFs
• Advanced trading tools

Best for trading tools

Finder Award

Go to Site

Capital at risk. T&Cs apply

Up to 3.3% AER on uninvested cash

• Commission-free trades
• 16,000+ stocks and ETFs
• Fractional shares

Bottom line

For UK investors eyeing the US stock market, the S&P 500 vs Nasdaq vs Dow Jones each offer a unique slice of the action (or pie if you’re into American pizza and desserts). The S&P 500 is the all-rounder, tracking 500 of America’s biggest companies across various sectors.

The Nasdaq 100, on the other hand, is the tech-lover’s dream, packed with giants like Apple, Microsoft, and Nvidia, making it more growth-focused but also more volatile. Then there’s the Dow Jones, the old-school choice, featuring just 30 blue-chip companies (that all pay dividends), often seen as a steadier, more traditional benchmark.

Whether you’re after stability, innovation, or a bit of both, there’s a US index to suit your style and risk appetite.

Written by

George Sweeney, DipFA

Deputy editor

Add to Preferred Sources

George is a deputy editor at Finder. He has previously written for The Motley Fool UK, Nasdaq, Freetrade, Investing in the Web, MoneyMagpie, Online Mortgage Advisor, Wealth, and Compare Forex Brokers. He's focused on making personal finance and investing engaging for everyone. To do this he draws from previous work and his Level 4 Diploma for Financial Advisers (DipFA), sharing what he’s learnt. When he’s not geeking out about money, you’ll find him playing sports and staying active. See full bio

George's expertise

George has written 327 Finder guides across topics including:

• Investing
• Personal finance
• Tax
• Pensions
• Mortgages
• Cryptocurrency