Equity Indexes

Definition ∞ Equity indexes are statistical measures that track the performance of a group of stocks representing a specific market, sector, or economy. These indexes serve as benchmarks for evaluating investment returns and overall market health. They are constructed using various methodologies, often weighted by market capitalization or price. Investors and analysts rely on equity indexes to assess market trends and allocate capital.
Context ∞ While primarily associated with traditional financial markets, the concept of equity indexes is relevant to digital assets as specialized indexes emerge to track cryptocurrency market segments. News often compares cryptocurrency performance to established equity indexes like the S&P 500 or Nasdaq to gauge relative market sentiment and investor risk appetite. This comparison helps contextualize digital asset movements within the broader financial landscape.