Stock Market Today: How to Check the Dow After Thursday’s Sell-Off | November 5, 2026

Verified November 5, 2026, at 12:03 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (UTC−05:00).

U.S. stocks fell sharply Thursday as a sell-off in companies tied to artificial intelligence weighed on major indexes. At 11:00 a.m. Eastern Standard Time (UTC−05:00), the Dow Jones Industrial Average was down 1,146 points, or 2.1%, the S&P 500 had fallen 3.2%, and the Nasdaq Composite was down 5%, according to Associated Press reporting. Those intraday figures can change quickly.

For investors checking a retirement account or considering a trade, the practical step is to compare all three indexes, check when each quote was recorded, and look at the holdings that actually make up the portfolio. A headline about the Dow alone cannot tell you how every stock or fund is performing.

Destaques

• At 11:00 a.m. Eastern, the Nasdaq Composite had fallen more in percentage terms than the Dow or S&P 500.
• Thursday’s decline followed a strong Wednesday: the Dow rose 3%, the S&P 500 gained 1.6%, and the Nasdaq Composite added 1.4%.
• Check the quote timestamp and any delay notice before treating an index value as current.
• Compare percentage changes, then review your own holdings and time horizon before acting.

What is happening in the stock market today?

Thursday’s losses reversed part of Wednesday’s rally after the U.S. midterm elections. On November 4, the Dow closed at 53,356.12, the S&P 500 at 7,688.62, and the Nasdaq Composite at 25,736.51, according to the AP’s closing figures.

AP reported that concerns about the cost of financing AI data centers and the possibility of construction pauses contributed to pressure on AI-related shares Thursday. Those are explanations for the moves reported at the time, not proof that the same forces will determine the next session. Individual stocks can also move in a different direction from an index.

How can I check the Dow Jones and other major indexes?

Open your brokerage’s market overview or an index provider’s market page and search for the full index name. Symbols vary by provider, so confirm that the result is the index itself. Nasdaq’s Nasdaq Composite page, for example, identifies the index as COMP. Then check these details together:

1. Index level: The current reading, expressed in points.
2. Daily change: The change in points and percentage, usually measured against the previous close.
3. Quote time: The date, time, time zone, and any delayed-data label.
4. Session: Whether the figure reflects regular trading, a previous close, or a separate futures or fund quote.
5. Time period: Switch between one day, one month, and longer periods to put a single session in context.

If a page shows a stale quote or no quote, refresh it or check another reputable provider. Nasdaq’s Composite page says its major-index data is delayed by at least one minute, and its displayed quote may sometimes be unavailable. Your brokerage’s data permissions and delays may differ.

What is the difference between the Dow, S&P 500 and Nasdaq Composite?

The Dow Jones Industrial Average tracks 30 large U.S. companies and is price-weighted. That means a stock with a higher share price generally has more influence on the index than a lower-priced component. It is a useful snapshot of established companies, but its small membership does not represent every part of the market.

The S&P 500 tracks large U.S. companies across major sectors and is weighted by float-adjusted market capitalization. Larger companies by that measure carry more influence. Its broader membership makes it a common benchmark for U.S. large-cap portfolios, though it is not a complete picture of every publicly traded company. The index provider explains the differences in its comparison of the Dow and S&P 500.

The Nasdaq Composite covers eligible common stocks listed on the Nasdaq market, including U.S. and international companies. It is distinct from the Nasdaq-100, which tracks 100 large nonfinancial companies listed on Nasdaq. Their different memberships can produce different returns, as Nasdaq’s market guide explains.

Are stock market quotes live, and when does the market close?

The NYSE’s core trading session normally runs from 9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time on trading days. On November 5, 2026, Eastern Standard Time is UTC−05:00, so those hours correspond to 14:30–21:00 UTC. Holidays and early closes can change the schedule; check the NYSE calendar.

Outside regular hours, a page may show the last closing index value alongside a separate futures contract or an exchange-traded fund. Futures and funds trade at their own prices and are not the index’s official current level. A futures move can suggest how traders are positioning before the opening bell, but it does not guarantee where stocks will open or close.

What should investors do after a large market move?

Start by checking your actual exposure. A broad U.S. stock fund, a technology-focused fund, and a portfolio of individual shares can respond differently to the same news. Compare your holdings with the appropriate benchmark over a relevant period, and remember that a commonly quoted price index does not include reinvested dividends.

If you decide to trade, review the order before submitting it. A market order prioritizes execution but does not guarantee the execution price; a limit order sets an acceptable price but may not execute. The SEC’s guide to order types explains these trade-offs.

Next, watch whether losses remain concentrated in large technology and AI-related shares or spread more broadly. Earnings, interest rates, and economic data may also affect prices, but their impact is uncertain. The next index reading is information to assess alongside your goals, cash needs, and risk tolerance—not a reliable forecast on its own.

FAQ

Where can I see the Dow Jones today?

Search for “Dow Jones Industrial Average” in a brokerage app or a reputable market-data service. Confirm the quote’s timestamp, delay, and whether it is the index rather than a fund or futures contract.

Why can the Dow rise while the Nasdaq falls?

They contain different stocks and use different index methodologies. Gains in Dow components can coincide with declines among Nasdaq-listed companies, or vice versa.

Can I buy an index directly?

An index is a calculated benchmark, not a security you can purchase. Funds can track indexes, but their fees, holdings, and trading prices can cause returns to differ from the benchmark.