NASDAQ Index is an automated stock market index calculated in real time by the NASDAQ Stock Market — an acronym for the National Association of Securities Dealers Automated Quotations.
The NASDAQ Stock Market is one of the largest U.S. exchanges, alongside the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) and the American Stock Exchange (AMEX). It specializes in equities of high-technology companies — including software, electronics, semiconductors, and internet services.
NASDAQ launched in 1971 as the world’s first electronic stock market, introducing automated trading and real-time quotation dissemination. Today, it facilitates equity transactions for over 3,000 global companies.
The NASDAQ Index tracks the aggregate market value of all listed companies’ shares, serving as a key benchmark for the health and performance of the U.S. technology and growth-oriented sector.
Major NASDAQ indices include:
- NASDAQ Composite: Tracks all common stocks listed on the NASDAQ exchange.
- NASDAQ Biotechnology Index: Measures the performance of biotechnology and pharmaceutical firms listed on NASDAQ.
- NASDAQ-100: Reflects the price movements of the 100 largest non-financial domestic and international companies listed on NASDAQ, weighted by market capitalization.
FAQ
What does the NASDAQ Index measure?
It measures the aggregate market value of all common stocks listed on the NASDAQ Stock Market, with heavy emphasis on technology and growth companies.
How is the NASDAQ-100 different from the NASDAQ Composite?
The NASDAQ-100 includes only the 100 largest non-financial NASDAQ-listed companies; the Composite includes all NASDAQ-listed common stocks.
When did NASDAQ begin operations?
NASDAQ launched on February 8, 1971, as the world’s first electronic stock market.
