## Opportunities in U.S. Stock Market Indices Today: Where Are the Good Entry Points for Investors?

The U.S. stock market has recently shown impressive signs of recovery. If you're exploring ways to make money from major financial assets, understanding the indices rather than chasing individual stocks is a smarter strategy. This article will help you grasp the overall picture of the U.S. stock market today and potential investment opportunities.

## Why Follow U.S. Stock Market Indices Today?

The U.S. stock market currently accounts for 75% of the global market capitalization, making it the largest and most liquid market in the world. The two main exchanges—**New York Stock Exchange (NYSE)** and **Nasdaq Stock Market**—handle millions of transactions daily with a total market value exceeding $46 trillion.

Why is it important to follow U.S. stock market indices today? Because these indices reflect the health of the entire economy and directly impact global investment decisions. Investors not only trade individual stocks but also focus on indices to measure overall market performance.

## 4 U.S. Stock Indices You Need to Know

**Dow Jones (DJIA)** – Established in 1896, this is the oldest index. It tracks 30 leading companies on the NYSE, representing about 25% of the total market value. Currently, this index hovers around 44,284 points.

**S&P 500** – This index includes the 500 largest companies, accounting for up to 70% of the U.S. stock market value. The S&P 500 is considered the best benchmark for large-cap stocks, currently at 6,045 points.

**Nasdaq Composite** – The Nasdaq exchange was founded in 1971 and includes over 3,000 listed companies, many of which are technology and startup firms. This index stands at 18,210 points and reflects investor sentiment toward tech assets.

**Nasdaq 100** – A narrowed version of the Nasdaq Composite, tracking the 100 largest non-financial companies. It serves as a barometer for the technology, telecommunications, and service sectors, currently at 21,426 points.

## Strong Performers of Leading Stocks in the Past Year

Which stocks have proven to be real warriors? **Apple (AAPL)** increased by 261%, **Microsoft (MSFT)** by 256%, and **Nvidia (NVDA)**—an AI technology company—by an impressive 1,908%. Additionally, **Amazon, Google, Tesla, and Disney** are also major names on the U.S. stock exchange today.

The 5-year growth rates of these indices are also notable: S&P 500 up 85.78%, Dow Jones up 54.13%, and Nasdaq 100 up 147.43%.

## Notable Stocks in 2024

The most breakthrough names recently include **SWAV (Shockwave Medical)** with an 828.8% increase, **VKTX (Viking Therapeutics)** up 795%, **LWAY (Lifeway Foods)** up 787%, and **ZJYL (Jin Medical)** up 750%. These stocks demonstrate that the biggest companies are not always the highest profit generators.

## Trading Hours and How to Profit from the U.S. Stock Market

The U.S. stock market operates from Monday to Friday, with standard trading sessions, pre-market trading, and after-hours trading. For investors outside the U.S., direct ownership of U.S. stocks often faces legal restrictions. A common solution is margin trading through contracts for difference **(CFD)**, allowing you to profit from price movements without owning the actual securities.

## Current Trends in the U.S. Stock Market Today

After volatility from 2022-2023 (Russian-Ukrainian war, energy crises, inflation), the market has started to recover since October 2023. The Dow Jones has increased by 5.59% in the first three months of 2024, the S&P 500 has risen nearly 10%, and the Nasdaq 100 has grown 24.17% over the past six months.

## Factors Influencing the Future of U.S. Stock Indices

**Fed Policy**: The market is expecting interest rate cuts. According to Goldman Sachs, the Fed may cut rates 3 times in 2024 and 4 times in 2025, bringing the rate down to 3.25-3.5%, which will support stock growth.

**Geopolitical Situation**: Conflicts such as Russia-Ukraine and Israel-Hamas could have negative impacts. Investors tend to flock to safe assets like gold and Bitcoin when tensions escalate, potentially slowing down the growth of U.S. stock indices.

## Conclusion

The U.S. stock market today still offers many opportunities for investors. Understanding stock indices, monitoring trends and economic policies, and managing risks are fundamental factors for success in trading. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced investor, staying updated on the U.S. stock market is essential.