The worldÂ’s most well known stock index, comprised of 30 stocks that represent leading companies in major industries. Charles H. Dow, the founder of Dow Jones & Co, introduced the DJIA in 1896. It is the oldest stock price measure in continuous use. All the companies in the index are large and stable (blue-chip) companies and are widely held by both individual and institutional investors. Although many companies have remained in the DJIA for a length of time, some are occasionally removed due to poor financial performance or a merger. The ticker symbol is DJIA.