Stock price average computed by Dow Jones & Co. Founded in 1882 by Charles H. Dow (18511902) and Edward D. Jones (18561920), Dow Jones & Co. commenced publication of the Wall Street Journal in 1889 and began computing a daily industrials average in 1897.
Dow Jones publishes averages based on 20 transportation stocks, 15 utility stocks, and 30 selected industrial stocks, as well as a composite average of all three; the industrial-stocks average is universally followed by U.S. and international investors. The company also publishes several bond averages. See also NASDAQ ; stock exchange .