The S&P 500, short for Standard & Poor’s 500, is a stock market index that monitors the stock performance of the top 500 companies in the US.

With an approximate total market capitalization of $2.2 trillion, the S&P 500, along with the Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA), is frequently used as a benchmark for assessing the overall performance and health of the US economy.
 

S&P 500 trading hours

As S&P 500 companies trade on the NASDAQ and New York Stock Exchange, traders like to trade the S&P 500 index during main market hours between 09:30 and 16:30 EST. Trading during these hours often offers greater liquidity and tighter spreads.
 

How is the S&P 500 calculated?

Companies included in the S&P 500 index are chosen by a committee based on eight key criteria:
1.       Market capitalization
2.       Liquidity
3.       Domicile
4.       Public float
5.       Sector classification
6.       Financial stability
7.       Duration of public trading
8.       Overall merit

Additionally, to qualify, a company must meet specific liquidity and size requirements:
1.       A market capitalization of at least $6.1 billion
2.       An annual dollar value traded to float-adjusted market capitalization ratio greater than 1.0
3.       A minimum monthly trading volume of 250,000 shares over the six months prior to evaluation
4.       The S&P 500 aims to represent various industries within the US economy, including technology, healthcare, industrials, and commodities.

The index is capitalization-weighted, meaning companies with larger market caps have a greater impact on its value. Similar to the Dow Jones Industrial Average, the S&P 500 value is calculated by summing the market capitalizations of the 500 constituent stocks and dividing by a Divisor, which is approximately 8.9 billion. The Divisor is adjusted for stock splits or mergers to maintain the index's consistency.
 

How to trade the S&P 500 CFD

The S&P 500 index offers traders high liquidity, extended trading hours, and tight spreads. You can trade the S&P 500 today using CFDs (contracts for difference), which allow you to go long or short without dealing with traditional exchanges.

Traders appreciate trading the S&P 500 because trends are often visible on live charts, providing clear entry and exit signals through both basic and advanced indicators.

Since the S&P 500 tracks a diverse ‘basket’ of 500 US companies, traders gain broad exposure to the US stock market, which is extensively analyzed through both technical and fundamental research. This comprehensive coverage makes the S&P 500 a popular choice among CFD traders globally.

As with any trading activity, a solid strategy is crucial when investing in the S&P 500. An effective strategy minimizes market noise and helps traders focus on entry and exit signals, volume, and risk management. A successful approach typically combines technical and fundamental analysis with strong emotional discipline.

When considering shares, indices, forex (foreign exchange) and commodities for trading and price predictions, remember that trading CFDs involves a significant degree of risk and could result in capital loss. 

Past performance is not indicative of any future results. This information is provided for informative purposes only and should not be construed to be investment advice.