The Worst Performing Dow Stock of 2024 MicroStockHub / iStock via Getty Images The Dow Jones industrial average was launched in 1896. For decades, it was considered the primary benchmark of the equities market. However, it had too few stocks—only 30—to reflect that broad market. It was eventually replaced by the S&P 500, which was considered more representative because it included so many stocks from a broader range of market sectors. However, the Dow is often at the top of the market performance lists. F ...