Identification

• The Global Dow stock index tracks the price value changes of 150 selected blue chip stocks from around the world. The Global Dow is tracked under the symbol GDOW. Dow Jones, the owner of the Global Dow index, states the companies in the index are "vibrant and influential" corporations. The index is intended to be a global version of the Dow Jones Industrial Average, or DJIA. The DJIA is the most widely followed stock market index in the United States.
  
  

History

• The Dow Jones Company launched the Global Dow index on Nov. 11, 2008. The index was calculated with historical data back to 2000. The index had a starting value of 1,000 on Dec. 31, 2000. On its launch date the Global Dow had a value of about 1,450. Through the middle of 2010, the record high of the index was 2,087.
  
  

Significance

• The Dow Jones Company wanted to produce a stock market index that would be the most influential in the global economy. The index components were selected on reputation and influence as well as for size and growth. Global Dow stocks are from both the established economies and emerging market countries.
  
  

Features

• When it was launched, the Global Dow was weighted 42 percent to North America, 32 percent to Europe, 21 percent to Asia and Australia and about 3 percent in Latin America. The 150 stocks ranged in market capitalization from $1 billion to $380 billion. The mean market capitalization was $51 billion.
  
  

Geography

• The global nature of the Global Dow has the index including companies from around the world. Some blue chip companies in the index you may not of heard of include Frence construction company Vinci, Renewable Energy Corp ASA of Norway, British retailer Tesco plc and Cemig S.A., a Brazilian power company.