The Nasdaq Composite is a stock market index that includes almost all stocks listed on the Nasdaq stock exchange, encompassing over 3,000 companies. It is heavily weighted towards companies in the information technology sector. Introduced in 1971 with a base value of 100, the index has experienced significant milestones, including surpassing the 5,000-point mark in 2015 and reaching an all-time high of 20,204.58 points on December 16, 2024.
As of March 12, 2025, the Nasdaq Composite Index closed at 17,436.10 points, down 0.2% from the previous day. This decline is part of a broader trend, with the index experiencing a 4.2% drop over the past week and a 9.7% decrease year-to-date.
The recent volatility is largely attributed to trade tensions, particularly President Donald Trump’s threats to increase tariffs on Canadian imports, which have raised concerns about a potential economic slowdown.
This has led to significant declines in major tech stocks, collectively losing approximately $2.7 trillion in market value over the past 50 days.
Investors are closely monitoring these developments, as the Nasdaq Composite’s performance is often seen as a barometer for the technology sector and overall market sentiment.