1. The Dow Jones Industrial Average

2. What is the Dow Jones Industrial Average?  The Dow Jones Industrial Average tracks the stocks of 30 of the largest and most widely held companies in the United States.  It is considered by many financial analysts to be the most important world stock indicator.

3. Some of these companies include:  Wal-Mart  McDonald’s  Coca-Cola  Microsoft  Home Depot  Exxon-Mobil  Walt Disney  Apple

4. Dow Jones Average 1900-2010

5. How is the average calculated?  The DJIA is calculated by adding the sum stock values of the 30 companies listed in the index and dividing the sum by an established divisor.  The current divisor is.01255527090  Because the divisor is less than one it actually serves as a multiplier.

6. Historic High  The DJIA reached an historic high on October 9, 2007.  It closed at 14,164.

7. The Dow Today  The DJIA was at 12,965.00 as of the closing bell yesterday.

8. History of the Dow Jones  We are going to watch a video that talks about the origins of the Dow Jones Industrial Average and provides an economic history of the nation from the late 1800’s until the mid-1990’s.  After the video, we will focus upon investing money.