Standard & Poor’s 500 Index (^GSPC)

The S&P 500 is a market-capitalization-weighted index of 500 of the largest publicly traded companies in the United States. It covers a diverse range of industries including technology, finance, energy, and consumer goods. Launched in 1957 by Standard & Poor’s, it is considered one of the best representations of the overall U.S. equity market. The S&P 500 is widely used as a benchmark for mutual funds, ETFs, and institutional investors, and is often regarded as the most accurate reflection of U.S. corporate performance.