S&P 500
The leading US stock index of around 500 large listed US companies.
In short
As of 8 October 2026The S&P 500 is the leading US stock index. It includes around 500 large US companies and covers about 80 percent of the US market. It is weighted by market value, and the largest tech companies make up roughly a third. For euro investors it adds currency risk, and buying only the S&P 500 means relying on a single country.
The S&P 500 tracks around 500 of the largest US companies and covers about 80 % of the US stock market. It is weighted by the market value of freely tradable shares. The biggest tech companies such as Apple, Microsoft and Nvidia make up roughly a third.
Because the US accounts for about 70 % of the MSCI World, the two indices move similarly. Betting only on the S&P 500 means betting on a single country, though. US dividends are also subject to withholding tax.
Example: an S&P 500 ETF with a TER of 0.05 % costs only about 5 euros a year on 10,000 euros invested. For euro investors there is also currency risk: if the dollar falls, your holding is worth less in euros.
As of 8 October 2026 · Educational content, not investment or tax advice.