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Leitindex
📈 What exactly is a Leitindex?
A Leitindex is an important stock market index that represents the development of a specific market or market segment. It serves as a barometer for the economic situation or sentiment in that sector. The most well-known examples in Germany are the DAX (Deutscher Aktienindex), comprising the 40 largest German companies, or internationally, the Dow Jones Industrial Average in the USA.
The term is composed of "leiten" (to lead, guide) and "Index" (index, indicator). Thus, it leads the perception of market development.
🧐 Grammar of Leitindex in Detail
The word "Leitindex" is a masculine noun. The article is der.
Declension
Singular
| Case | Definite Article | Indefinite Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nominative | der | ein | Leitindex |
| Genitive | des | eines | Leitindex / Leitindexes |
| Dative | dem | einem | Leitindex |
| Accusative | den | einen | Leitindex |
Plural
| Case | Definite Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Leitindizes |
| Genitive | der | Leitindizes |
| Dative | den | Leitindizes |
| Accusative | die | Leitindizes |
Example Sentences
- Der Leitindex DAX fiel heute um zwei Prozent.
(The leading index DAX fell by two percent today.) - Die Entwicklung des Leitindex wird von Analysten genau beobachtet.
(The development of the leading index is closely watched by analysts.) - Viele ETFs bilden die Wertentwicklung eines bekannten Leitindex nach.
(Many ETFs track the performance of a well-known leading index.) - Die wichtigsten Leitindizes der Welt zeigten sich uneinheitlich.
(The world's most important leading indices showed mixed results.)
💡 Usage in Context
The term Leitindex is used almost exclusively in the context of economics and finance. It refers to the most important stock indices that serve as indicators of sentiment for entire economies or sectors.
- Typical Contexts: Financial news, stock market reports, economic analyses, investment strategies.
- Usage: Often used synonymously with well-known indices like DAX, Dow Jones, Nikkei 225, Euro Stoxx 50, when their leading role is to be emphasized.
- Distinction: A general Aktienindex (stock index) doesn't necessarily have to be a Leitindex. A Leitindex has outstanding importance and high market capitalization or represents a very significant market.
🧠 Mnemonics and Memory Aids
- Remembering the Article: Imagine DER leader (masculine 'der') of a company leit-ing (leading) the way, just like DER Leitindex leads the market.
- Remembering the Meaning: Think of a Leitindex as a 'leading index' – it leits (leads) the way, showing the market's direction like a guiding light (Leit-).
🔄 Synonyms and Related Terms
Synonyms
- Benchmark-Index: An index used as a standard for comparison (benchmark). Often used synonymously with Leitindex.
- Hauptindex: (Main index) Emphasizes the importance of the index compared to secondary indices.
- Marktbarometer: (Market barometer) Describes its function as an indicator of sentiment.
Related Terms
- Aktienindex: (Stock index) The general term for indices summarizing stock prices. Not every Aktienindex is a Leitindex.
- Branchenindex: (Sector index) An index tracking companies from a specific industry (e.g., TecDAX for technology).
- Performanceindex vs. Kursindex: Distinction based on calculation method (with/without dividends). Many leading indices like the DAX are performance indices.
There are hardly any direct antonyms, as Leitindex describes a specific function. One might consider Nebenindex (secondary index) or Nischenindex (niche index) as opposites.
😄 A Little Joke
Warum geht der Leitindex nie zum Arzt? 🤔
Weil er denkt, seine Schwankungen sind nur Stimmungsschwankungen!
(Why does the leading index never go to the doctor? 🤔
Because it thinks its fluctuations are just mood swings!)
✍️ Poem about the Leitindex
Der Leitindex, mal hoch, mal tief,
zeigt an, ob Wirtschaft fest schlief.
Er leitet uns durch Zahlenspiel,
der Markt erreicht mal viel, mal Ziel.
Ein Spiegelbild, so klar und rein,
soll der Index für die Börse sein.
(The leading index, sometimes high, sometimes low,
shows if the economy was sound asleep.
It guides us through the numbers game,
the market sometimes reaches much, sometimes its aim.
A mirror image, so clear and pure,
the index for the stock exchange should endure.)
❓ Riddle Time
Ich habe keinen Körper, doch zeige Stärke oder Schwäche.
Ich spreche nicht, doch Händler hören auf mein Echo.
Ich führe viele an, doch bewege mich nur durch Zahlen.
Was bin ich?
(I have no body, yet I show strength or weakness.
I do not speak, yet traders listen to my echo.
I lead many, yet I only move through numbers.
What am I?)
Solution: Der Leitindex (The leading index)
🌐 Further Information
Word Composition
The word "Leitindex" is a compound noun, composed of:
- leit-: Stem of the verb "leiten" (to lead, guide, direct).
- Index: From Latin "index" (indicator, list, register).
Well-known Leitindizes (Leading Indices)
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Leitindex?
The noun "Leitindex" is masculine. The correct article is der Leitindex. It refers to a leading stock market index.