Dow Futures Guide: How to Trade Dow Jones Futures
Date Modified: 12/8/2025
Tracking 30 of America’s large-cap publicly traded companies, the Dow Jones is undoubtedly one of the most renowned equity indexes in the world and is of interest to many traders and investors alike.
This trading guide delves into the Dow Jones and how you can trade it with Equity Index Futures contracts.
TL;DR
- The Dow Jones tracks 30 major US companies and reflects overall market health.
- Dow Futures let you trade on the index’s future price, often with leverage.
- Economic data, earnings, Fed policy, and global events are key price drivers.
- Plus500 offers a simple, low-cost platform to trade Dow Futures with just $100 to start.
You can practice first with a free demo account.
What Is the Dow Jones Index?
The Dow, or Dow Jones, the Dow 30, or the Industrial Average, is a leading equity index on Wall Street (like the S&P 500 and the Nasdaq 100) that tracks 30 large-cap publicly traded American companies.
American journalist Charles Dow created it as a general measure of the US economy, but it tracked only 12 companies at the time.
Moreover, it is a price-weighted index whose constituents change over time, in tandem with economic trends.
Dow Price History
- 1915-1919: The Dow had a bull run, gaining 125% after the markets reopened after the close in 1914 due to World War I.
- 1919-1921: The Dow experienced a bear market, dropping 46.6% during a recessionary economy.
- 1921-1929: The Dow soared 500% on market optimism.
- 1929-1932: Amidst the market crash of 1929, the Dow lost 89%.
- 1949-1966: The Dow soared, entering a bull market. It reached almost 1,000 in early 1966.
- 2000-2002: The Dow plunges in light of the dot-com crash.
- 2007: The Dow entered another bear market due to the financial crisis, dropping over 14,000 in 2007
- 2009: It dropped below 6,600 in 2009.
- 2013: The Dow hit a record high.
- 2020: The Dow dropped due to COVID-19.
What Companies Are on the Dow Jones Index?
As of 2025, the 30 constituents are as follows:
- Amazon.com Inc
- Microsoft Corp
- American Express Co
- Amgen Inc
- Apple Inc
- NVIDIA Corp
- Boeing Co
- Caterpillar Inc
- Cisco Systems Inc
- Chevron Corp
- Goldman Sachs Group Inc
- Home Depot Inc
- Honeywell International Inc
- International Business Machines Corp
- Johnson & Johnson
- Coca-Cola Co
- JPMorgan Chase & Co
- McDonald’s Corp
- 3M Co
- Merck & Co Inc
- Nike Inc
- Procter & Gamble Co
- Sherwin-Williams Co
- Travelers Companies Inc
- UnitedHealth Group Inc
- Salesforce Inc
- Verizon Communications Inc
- Visa Inc
- Walmart Inc
- Walt Disney Co
What Are Dow Jones Futures?
Dow Futures contracts that allow investors to speculate on or protect against changes in the future value of the Dow Jones Industrial Average. They represent an agreement to buy or sell the index at a set price on a specified future date. Since Futures are leveraged products, traders can gain exposure to a prominent market position using only a fraction of the total value, known as margin. While leverage can enhance profits, it also magnifies the risk of substantial losses.
What Moves Dow Jones Futures Prices?
A mix of economic data, corporate performance, geopolitical developments, and market sentiment shapes Dow Jones futures. Key drivers include:
- Economic Data: Indicators like GDP growth, inflation, job reports, and consumer confidence significantly impact Futures. Positive data tends to lift prices, while weak numbers can weigh them down.
- Corporate Earnings: Earnings reports from Dow-listed companies can sway futures, particularly when results surprise investors positively or negatively.
- Interest Rates & Monetary Policy: Federal Reserve decisions and commentary on interest rates directly affect borrowing costs and economic outlook, influencing Futures accordingly.
- Geopolitical Events: Global political tensions, conflicts, and instability can unsettle markets, leading to shifts in Futures due to increased uncertainty.
- Investor Sentiment: The prevailing market mood, whether bullish or bearish, can move futures. Broader trends in international stock markets also play a role.
- Natural Disasters: Events like hurricanes or earthquakes can disrupt industries and supply chains, affecting overall market outlook and Futures pricing.
- Global Trading Activity: Because Dow Futures trade nearly around the clock, developments in overseas markets, especially in Asia and Europe, often impact pricing before the US market opens.
Dow Futures with Plus500
Trading Dow Jones Futures is straightforward with Plus500’s Futures Contracts, which give you access to a wide range of global financial markets, including equity indices, forex, cryptocurrencies, commodities (like energy, metals, and agriculture), and interest rates, all from one platform.
- Intuitive Trading Platform
Designed for ease of use, the platform is ideal for both beginners and experienced retail traders.
- Zero Platform & Data Fees
Trade with low costs and no fees for platform use or real-time market data.
- Unlimited Free Demo Account
Practice trading Dow Futures risk-free with a demo account, available at no cost and with no time limits.
- Fast & Secure Account Setup
Get started quickly with a streamlined registration process designed for simplicity and safety.
- Low Minimum Deposit
Begin trading with just $100, making it accessible for traders of all levels.
How to Trade Dow Futures with Plus500
Trading Dow Jones Futures on Plus500 is straightforward. Begin by following these steps:
- Visit us.plus500.com
- Click “Start Trading”
- Create Your Account
- Find Dow Jones Futures
- Select the Instrument
- Place Your Order
Navigate to the official Plus500 website.
You'll find this button in the upper-right corner of the homepage.
Register by providing the necessary personal and financial details to set up your trading
account.
Log In
Access your account using your chosen login credentials.
Either click on the ‘Equity Indices’ category or use the search bar to type in “Dow Jones.”
Click on “Dow Jones Futures” to open the trading window.
Provide trade specifics like position size, stop-loss, and leverage, then execute your order.
Conclusion
The Dow Jones Industrial Average remains one of the most widely followed stock indices globally, offering insight into the health of the US economy and trading opportunities for investors of all levels. Whether you're looking to hedge your portfolio, capitalize on market trends, or gain exposure to some of the largest US corporations, trading Dow Jones Futures is a powerful way to do so. With platforms like Plus500, accessing these markets is easier, more affordable, and more intuitive than ever, especially with tools like demo accounts, low fees, and flexible trading options.
Ready to trade Dow Jones Futures with Plus500? Start now!
