Globally, there are hundreds of stock market indexes, each designed to track specific markets, regions, or sectors. While the exact number changes as markets evolve, indexes are generally grouped into several main categories.

The first category is broad market indexes, which measure the overall performance of a country’s stock market. Examples include the S&P 500 in the United States, the FTSE 100 in the United Kingdom, and the Nikkei 225 in Japan. These indices serve as benchmarks for entire economies.

The second category is regional and global indexes, such as the MSCI World Index or MSCI Emerging Markets Index, which track performance across multiple countries. These are widely used by institutional investors to assess global trends and diversify portfolios.

Third, there are sector-specific indexes that focus on industries like technology, healthcare, energy, or finance. The Nasdaq Biotechnology Index is one example, providing insights into a particular sector’s performance.

Fourth, thematic and style indexes have gained popularity. These focus on investment themes like clean energy, ESG (environmental, social, and governance), or styles such as growth and value stocks.

Finally, custom and volatility indexes, like the CBOE Volatility Index (VIX), measure investor sentiment and market risk.

Overall, while there isn’t a fixed number, thousands of indexes exist globally, each catering to unique investment goals and strategies. They allow traders and investors to analyze, benchmark, and participate in different parts of the financial markets.