Subindex

subindex

An index based on a particular category of components that make up a larger index. For example, the Nasdaq Composite Index is subdivided into 11 subindexes for categories including banks, computers, industrials, insurance, and telecommunications. Subindexes provide an indication of how particular segments of the market are performing.

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Subindex

A set of securities in an index whose performance is also tracked independent of the other securities in the index. An index may divide itself into subindicies for the different sectors it tracks. For example, the S&P 500 contains 10 subindices representing various sectors of the economy, such as energy or health care companies. A subindex may also be created for subsets of a specific sector. Given an index of the energy sector, for example, one may create subindices of oil companies and alternative energy companies.