European Equity Indexes

CAC 40, DAX, Eurofirst 300, IBEX 35, Swiss Market Index, and WIG index terms.

European Equity Indexes terms explain how benchmarks, market gauges, weighting rules, index families, data series, and market-cycle labels are used in investment analysis.

Use this branch when benchmark selection, index membership, weighting, float adjustment, publication source, region, sector, or dividend treatment changes the comparison being made.

Key Terms in This Branch

TermUse it for
CAC 40Benchmark construction, regional equity index, weighting, market-cycle, sentiment, commodity, freight, or index-publication terms.
DAXBenchmark construction, regional equity index, weighting, market-cycle, sentiment, commodity, freight, or index-publication terms.
FTSEurofirst 300 IndexBenchmark construction, regional equity index, weighting, market-cycle, sentiment, commodity, freight, or index-publication terms.
IBEX 35Benchmark construction, regional equity index, weighting, market-cycle, sentiment, commodity, freight, or index-publication terms.
Swiss Market Index (SMI)Benchmark construction, regional equity index, weighting, market-cycle, sentiment, commodity, freight, or index-publication terms.
WIG IndexBenchmark construction, regional equity index, weighting, market-cycle, sentiment, commodity, freight, or index-publication terms.

What to Check

Check the index provider, universe, eligibility rule, weighting method, float adjustment, rebalancing schedule, currency, dividend treatment, data date, and whether the index is investable or only a benchmark.

Common Mistakes

  • Treating an index as a recommendation or as a directly owned portfolio.
  • Comparing index returns without checking currency, dividends, fees, and time period.
  • Ignoring methodology changes, reconstitution, concentration, and float adjustments.
  • Using a regional or sector index as a broad-market benchmark without checking its universe.

Indexes are benchmarks and data tools, not personalized investment recommendations or performance promises.

In this section

Choose a subsection first. Deeper term pages live inside each subsection, which keeps large topic hubs readable.

CAC 40

The CAC 40 tracks 40 large, actively traded companies in the Euronext Paris universe. Learn its selection, 15% cap, returns, and risks.

DAX

The DAX is Germany's 40-company blue-chip equity index, selected and weighted mainly by free-float market capitalization.

FTSEurofirst 300 Index

The FTSEurofirst 300 tracks 300 large developed-European companies. Learn how selection, free-float weighting, currencies, and returns work.

IBEX 35

The IBEX 35 tracks 35 liquid shares in Spain using free-float-adjusted market-cap weighting. Learn its selection, calculation, and risks.

Swiss Market Index (SMI)

The Swiss Market Index tracks 20 large, liquid Swiss equities using capped free-float market-capitalization weights.

WIG Index

The WIG is a total-return index of eligible Warsaw Main Market shares. Learn its free-float weighting, diversification limits, and uses.

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