Is there a good index fund that covers the entire stock market?

Answer 1

I assume you mean the entire US stock Market. There is no index fund that covers the globe. Vanguard has a Total International Stock Market Index Fund and for the USA's market, the Vanguard Total Stock Market Index Fund, symbol VTSMX. Expense ratio 0.19% which is very low. $3,000 initial minimum investment.
The Fidelity Spartan Total Market Index mentioned by Peaches has an expense ratio of 0.07% but you need $100,000 to get in.
Peaches, btw the iShares Dow Jones fund you mentioned is an ETF.

Answer 2

An ETF is not the answer, there cannot be one for the enitre market.

Here are some:
T. Rowe Price Total Equity Market Index Fund
Schwab Total Stock Market Index Fund
Vanguard Total Bond Market Index Fund
John Hancock Funds II - Total Stock Market Index Fund
iShares Dow Jones U.S. Total Market Index Fund
Fidelity - Spartan Total Market Index Fund

Answer 3

If you truly want something that mirrors the market, then ETFs would be your answer. As opposed to a managed mutual fund, they'll have lower expense ratios (which does matter, particularly in long-term buy and hold trading), and will do a better job of mirroring the market than the mutual fund approach.

If your have the assumption that, in the long-term, your money manager will beat the market (and be worth the commission, capital gains, expense fees, etc.), then let them, but you'd want sector funds or growth funds, etc. Whichever meets your investment needs.

I recommend looking online or talking to a broker, to decide whether you really should be looking for an index fund or if something else fits your needs better.

Answer 4

The easiest way to do this is to buy QQQQ, which is the Nasdaq 100 tracking fund. It's traded as an ETF, which means you buy it like a stock through any stock broker. It has much lower overhead costs than traditional mutual funds, and you can buy options against it as a hedge.

Answer 5

Index funds are crap. Why buy an index, less the 12b1 fees, commissions etc. and slightly underperform the index why a good managed account can significantly outperform the indexes on an annual basis. Get a good broker and pay for good advice. Notice...all the rich people have good advisors...all the broke folks "do it themselves."

Answer 6

most major investment firms will offer some sort of indexed mutual fund that attempts to buy stocks in such a way that they mirror the performance of broader indices --

a good article on index funds --
http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/business/personal_finance/16510071.htm?source=rss&channel=miamiherald_personal_finance

Answer 7

i don't have an argument with it. i'm a much bigger fan of the Wilshire 5000 than the 5 hundred. immediately i'm extra in prefer of concentrated and balanced money with the aid of character of the marketplace.

Answer 8

No.

It would cost thousands in comissions to buy at least one stock in every public company in the World.

Answer 9

exchange traded fund (ETF)