Ever wondered if ACI Worldwide (ticker: ACIW) is part of those headline-grabbing stock indexes, like the S&P 500 or NASDAQ Composite? This article breaks down exactly where ACIW stands, why its index inclusion matters, and what real-world implications it has for investors and institutions. Along the way, I’ll share the nitty-gritty of how I checked, what the experts say, and a few mishaps I ran into (because, let’s be real, stock research never goes 100% smoothly).
So, before you even start typing “ACIW index inclusion” into your browser, let’s get clear on why it matters. Index membership has real consequences: stocks in major indices get more attention from institutional investors, passive index funds, and even algorithmic traders. For example, a company joining the S&P 500 often sees a sudden spike in demand as index funds rebalance—sometimes even boosting the share price for reasons entirely unrelated to business performance. So, whether you’re an investor, an analyst, or just a financial news junkie, knowing if ACIW is in these indices helps you anticipate liquidity, volatility, and maybe even future price moves.
Here’s the honest play-by-play of how I went about verifying ACIW’s index membership. Spoiler alert: it wasn’t as simple as I thought.
First stop: S&P Dow Jones Indices’ official S&P 500 list. It’s surprisingly easy to search, but—no sign of ACIW. I scrolled, I searched, I even used Ctrl+F. Nothing.
Then I went to the NASDAQ Composite Index constituents page. This one’s trickier since there are thousands of listings, but a quick search confirmed: ACIW is included in the NASDAQ Composite Index, but not in the S&P 500.
I started wondering: maybe ACIW is in a smaller, mid-cap, or technology-focused index? I checked the S&P MidCap 400 and the NASDAQ-100. Still, ACIW didn’t show up on either.
For good measure, I popped over to the official NASDAQ ACIW page. Their profile confirms ACI Worldwide is traded on the NASDAQ Global Select Market and included in the NASDAQ Composite.
To be absolutely sure, I ran a search on Bloomberg and FactSet (trust me, not everyone has access—thanks to a friend who let me use their login). Both confirmed: ACI Worldwide (ACIW) is not part of the S&P 500, S&P 400, or S&P 600. It’s only in the NASDAQ Composite.
Just to see if maybe I missed some obscure rebalancing, I reached out to a friend who’s an analyst at a major ETF manager. She laughed, “No, ACIW’s not in the S&P 500. You’d know if it were. It’s a NASDAQ Composite regular, though.” There you go—real human confirmation.
Let’s make it concrete. Remember when Tesla (TSLA) was added to the S&P 500 in 2020? There was a huge run-up in share price as index funds were forced to buy in. If ACIW were added to the S&P 500 or even the MidCap 400, a similar—albeit smaller—effect could be expected. But as it stands, because ACIW is only in the NASDAQ Composite, it gets less of that “forced demand” from major index funds.
On forums like r/investing, you’ll see posts from retail investors who are sometimes confused about why their mid-cap tech stocks don’t seem to react to index rebalancing. A typical comment: “I kept waiting for my ACIW shares to pop on S&P rebalancing day, but nothing happened. Turns out it’s not even in the index. Oops.”
For the record, S&P Dow Jones Indices publishes eligibility criteria and constituent lists, which are publicly available at S&P US Indices Methodology. NASDAQ’s own methodology is at NASDAQ Composite Index Methodology. Both documents confirm that inclusion depends on market cap, liquidity, and sector, among other factors.
Notably, ACI Worldwide’s market cap (as of June 2024, about $2.9 billion per Yahoo Finance) puts it below the typical S&P 500 threshold. That’s likely why it’s not included.
While not directly related to index inclusion, the way exchanges and regulators verify and admit companies to indices can vary by country. Here’s a quick table comparing “verified trade” or index eligibility standards across major markets:
| Country/Region | Index/Standard Name | Legal Basis | Executing Body |
|---|---|---|---|
| USA | S&P 500, NASDAQ Composite | S&P Dow Jones Index Methodology; NASDAQ Index Rules |
S&P Dow Jones, NASDAQ OMX |
| UK | FTSE 100/250 | FTSE Russell Index Methodology | FTSE Russell |
| EU | STOXX Europe 600 | STOXX Index Guide | Qontigo (STOXX) |
| Japan | Nikkei 225 | Nikkei Inc. Methodology | Nikkei Inc. |
Each market’s index inclusion is governed by a combination of quantitative criteria (like market cap, liquidity) and qualitative factors (such as sector representation and regulatory compliance). For the US, bodies like S&P Dow Jones and NASDAQ OMX have the final say, based on published methodologies.
Let’s put on our “talk show” hats for a moment. Imagine I’m sitting across from Dr. Laura Kim, a senior index analyst:
“ACIW’s absence from the S&P 500 isn’t surprising,” Dr. Kim explains. “The S&P 500 is reserved for the largest, most liquid US stocks. With ACIW’s market cap under $3 billion, it’s more likely to be considered for a smaller-cap or sector-specific index. Its presence in the NASDAQ Composite is typical for mid-sized tech firms—the Composite is broad and inclusive, but not as influential for index-tracking funds.”
That matches exactly what the data and official documents say.
Honestly, the first time I checked ACIW’s index status, I assumed that being a public tech company, it’d be in at least a couple of headline indices. Turns out, it’s pretty easy to make that mistake—especially if you rely solely on stock screeners or news articles. The most reliable way is always double-checking with the official index websites or institutional databases like Bloomberg. And if you can, ask someone who works at an ETF desk—they’ll know!
A word of warning: sometimes even reputable financial news outlets get these details wrong. I once saw a report that lumped ACIW in with “S&P 500 software stocks”—a quick fact-check revealed it was inaccurate. So always verify.
To wrap it all up: as of June 2024, ACI Worldwide (ACIW) is included in the NASDAQ Composite Index, but not in the S&P 500, S&P 400, S&P 600, or NASDAQ-100. Its index inclusion status affects how the stock is traded, who invests in it, and how it reacts to market events. If you’re considering investing in ACIW or tracking its performance, focus on how its index membership aligns with your strategy.
If you want to dig deeper, check out the official index methodologies and constituent lists, and consider how market cap and sector focus play into eligibility. And if you’re ever unsure, don’t hesitate to reach out to industry professionals or use institutional tools for confirmation.
For additional detail, you can review the latest official lists here:
Final thought: index inclusion isn’t static. If ACIW’s size or relevance grows, its status could change. Keep an eye on official sources—and don’t trust every headline!