Quick Scoop

The Nasdaq is a U.S. stock market exchange and also the name of major stock indexes that track many companies listed there, especially technology firms. In plain English, people often mean the Nasdaq Composite or the Nasdaq-100 when they say “the Nasdaq.”

What it is

  • Nasdaq Stock Market: An electronic exchange where companies list shares for public trading.
  • Nasdaq Composite: A broad index of Nasdaq-listed companies.
  • Nasdaq-100: A smaller index focused on the largest non-financial companies on Nasdaq.

Why it matters

The Nasdaq is widely watched because it reflects how growth and tech-heavy stocks are doing, so moves in the index can signal broader market sentiment. Recent coverage shows the Nasdaq has been very volatile in March 2026, including sharp losses tied to war and oil-price concerns and a strong rebound on March 31 after hopes for easing Iran-related tensions.

In one sentence

If the Dow is often seen as a snapshot of large industrial companies, the Nasdaq is the market’s tech-leaning pulse.

Bottom line: The Nasdaq is both a stock exchange and a set of major indexes, and it’s especially important for tracking technology and growth stocks.

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