How do u convert points to percentage for stock indexes like the Dow and S&P?

Answer 1

Joe C almost has it right. He says to subtract the ending value from the beginning value and divide it by the beginning value.

You should actually subtract the ending value from the previous day's closing value and divide by that value. If you multiply that number by 100, it gives you the percent change.

Answer 2

take the ending (days) points minus the beginning days points (previous days close) and divide that figure by that days beginning points (previous days close). That figure is then multiplied by 100 to give you the percentage.

Example the S&P 500 begins the day at 5 and moves up to 7. What is the pervcentage gain?

Ending points 7 MINUS Beginning Points 5 = 2 Total

2 Total Divided by Beginning Points 5 = 2/5 or .40

Now .40 *100= 40 Percent move.