The Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) is a stock market index that tracks 30 large, publicly-owned companies in the United States. It is one of the oldest and most widely recognized indices, providing a snapshot of the overall health of the U.S. economy. The DJIA is price-weighted, meaning that companies with higher stock prices have a greater influence on the index's performance. Investors and analysts use the DJIA to gauge market trends and economic conditions. It includes well-known companies from various sectors, such as Apple, Coca-Cola, and Microsoft. Changes in the DJIA can reflect investor sentiment and economic shifts, making it a key indicator for market watchers.