S&P 500 Index Chart (Live, 1-Day to All-Time)
LIVEThe S&P 500 is a float-adjusted, market-cap-weighted index of about 500 leading US companies, covering roughly 80% of the available US stock market value. The live chart below tracks it through the CAPITALCOM:US500 feed; choose a 1-day view for intraday moves or weekly and monthly candles for the long-term trend.
Live market data — updates automatically
At a Glance
What This S&P 500 Chart Shows
The main chart plots CAPITALCOM:US500, a CFD that tracks the S&P 500 and is quoted almost 24 hours a day on weekdays. The official cash index, SP:SPX, is calculated by S&P Dow Jones Indices only during the regular US session (9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time), so US500 can differ slightly from SPX, especially overnight. The At a Glance row adds the Nasdaq Composite (NASDAQ:IXIC), the Dow Jones (DJIA:DJI) and the VIX volatility index (TVC:VIX).
How the S&P 500 Is Calculated
The index in its 500-stock form was introduced on March 4, 1957, with a base value of 10 for the 1941–43 period. It covers about 500 leading US companies and roughly 80% of the available US stock market value. It lists a few more than 500 tickers because some companies have more than one share class.
- Float-adjusted market-cap weighting: each company's share price is multiplied by the shares available to the public. The largest companies therefore carry the most weight.
- Divisor: the total is divided by an index divisor that is adjusted for share issuance, buybacks and membership changes so that these events do not move the index.
- Committee selection: a committee chooses members using rules on size, liquidity, profitability and sector balance; it is not simply the 500 largest US stocks.
How to Read the Chart: 1 Day to All-Time
| Goal | Interval | Tip |
|---|---|---|
| 1-day (intraday) chart | 1, 5 or 15 minutes | Mark 9:30 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. ET; most volume trades near the open and close. |
| Swing view (weeks) | 1 hour or 4 hours | Look for higher highs and higher lows. |
| Trend (months to years) | Daily or weekly | Compare price with the moving average already on the chart. |
| Long history (decades) | Monthly | Switch the axis to Logarithmic. |
Each candle shows the open, high, low and close for its interval: green if it closed above the open, red if it closed below. On a log scale, a move from 1,000 to 2,000 takes up the same height as a move from 2,000 to 4,000, because both are +100%. On a linear scale the second move looks twice as large, which exaggerates recent history.
Set the interval and zoom first, then use the Print Chart button below. The printout captures what you see, so close panels you do not need.
Historic Milestones
- March 4, 1957: the 500-stock index is introduced.
- October 19, 1987: Black Monday, one of the worst single days in the index's history.
- October 2007 to March 9, 2009: the global financial crisis bear market, a decline of more than 50%.
- February 19 to March 23, 2020: COVID-19 crash of roughly one third, followed by one of the fastest recoveries on record.
What Moves the S&P 500
- Corporate earnings: the index ultimately tracks the profits of its members; earnings seasons (January, April, July, October) bring the largest single-stock moves.
- Interest rates and the Fed: higher yields raise borrowing costs and lower the value of future earnings.
- Economic data: payrolls, inflation and consumer spending reports set expectations for growth and rates.
- Concentration: because of market-cap weighting, the largest technology companies can drive a big share of daily moves.
- Volatility: the VIX, derived from S&P 500 option prices, usually rises when the index falls sharply.
Common Mistakes
- Confusing the US500 overnight quote with the official SPX close.
- Comparing an S&P 500 level with a Dow or Nasdaq level; compare percent changes instead.
- Ignoring dividends over long periods: the headline index is a price index, so total returns are higher.
Learn the basics in how to read a chart, compare the S&P 500 with gold or other assets using the compare tool, or browse more stock market charts.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I see a 1 day S&P 500 index chart?
Set the main chart interval to 1, 5 or 15 minutes and zoom to the latest session, or check the 1D mini charts in the At a Glance row. The regular US session runs from 9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time, and the US500 feed also shows moves outside those hours.
Can I print the S&P 500 chart?
Yes. Set the time frame you want, then use the Print Chart button below the chart or your browser's print command. For a clean printout, pick a single time frame and close any indicator panels you do not need.
What is the difference between US500 and SPX?
SPX is the official cash index calculated by S&P Dow Jones Indices during US market hours. US500 is a CFD from Capital.com that tracks the index almost around the clock, so its quote can differ slightly from SPX, especially outside regular hours.
How is the S&P 500 calculated?
Each company's share price is multiplied by its float-adjusted shares outstanding, the results are added up, and the total is divided by an index divisor. Larger companies carry more weight, and the divisor is adjusted for buybacks, share issuance and membership changes.
What is the VIX shown next to the S&P 500?
The VIX is the Cboe Volatility Index. It is derived from S&P 500 option prices and reflects the volatility the market expects over the next 30 days. It usually rises when the S&P 500 falls sharply, which is why it is often called the fear gauge.