What is the Nasdaq 100?

The Nasdaq 100 is a stock market index made up of 100 of the largest and most actively traded non-financial domestic and international companies listed on the Nasdaq stock exchange.

Because it strictly excludes financial institutions like banks and investment companies, the Nasdaq 100 is heavily weighted toward the technology sector. It is widely considered the premier benchmark for tech industry performance, featuring major players in hardware, software, telecommunications, and biotechnology.

Ticker: ^NDX (Standard Index) / QQQ (Tradable ETF)

Curiosity: Despite being famous as the "tech" index, the Nasdaq 100 actually includes several massive retail and food companies. If you buy into the Nasdaq, you are holding tech giants alongside Costco, Starbucks, and PepsiCo!