The Dow refers to the Dow Jones Industrial Average, a stock market index that tracks the performance of 30 large, publicly-owned companies in the United States. It is one of the oldest and most widely recognized stock indices, providing a snapshot of the overall health of the U.S. economy. The index is price-weighted, meaning that companies with higher stock prices have a greater influence on the index's movements. Investors and analysts often use the Dow as a benchmark 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 Dow can reflect investor sentiment and economic shifts, making it a key indicator for financial markets.