Nasdaq 100 YTD Performance: Full Breakdown
The Year-To-Date (YTD) performance of the Nasdaq 100 is a powerful indicator of how the largest non-financial tech-driven companies in the U.S. are doing. Whether you’re a trader or a long-term investor, tracking the Nasdaq 100 YTD performance helps you understand the broader market trend and sector momentum.
This post breaks down the performance, key contributors, and comparisons to other major indexes in 2025.
What Does YTD Performance Mean?
YTD performance measures the return of an index from the start of the calendar year to the current date. It helps investors understand how much the index has gained or lost so far in the year.
For example, if the Nasdaq 100 started the year at 13,000 and is now at 14,950, the YTD return is:
(14,950 – 13,000) / 13,000 = 15% YTD return
Nasdaq 100 YTD Performance in 2025 (as of May)
- YTD Return: Approximately +12.7%
- Start-of-Year Level: ~13,150
- Current Level (May 2025): ~14,820
- Volatility: Moderate, with tech earnings driving short-term swings
- Trend: Overall bullish, led by semiconductor and AI stocks
Top Gainers in the Nasdaq 100 (YTD 2025)
| Company | Ticker | YTD % Gain |
|---|---|---|
| NVIDIA Corporation | NVDA | +42% |
| Meta Platforms Inc. | META | +34% |
| Amazon.com Inc. | AMZN | +29% |
| Microsoft Corp. | MSFT | +18% |
| Alphabet Inc. | GOOGL | +16% |
These tech giants have benefited from AI innovation, cloud expansion, and strong earnings growth.
Sectors Driving Nasdaq 100 Growth
- Semiconductors: NVDA, AMD, ASML
- Cloud & Software: MSFT, ADBE, ORCL
- Consumer Tech: AMZN, AAPL
- AI & Data Analytics: META, CRWD, SNOW
Nasdaq 100 vs Other Indexes (YTD 2025)
| Index | YTD Return |
|---|---|
| Nasdaq 100 | +12.7% |
| S&P 500 | +8.3% |
| Dow Jones | +4.1% |
The Nasdaq 100 continues to outperform due to its tech-heavy composition and innovation leadership.
How to Monitor YTD Performance
- TradingView: Search
NDXorQQQ, then compare to Jan 1st price - Yahoo Finance: YTD return shown in performance section
- Invesco QQQ ETF page: Tracks index returns closely
- Google Finance: Compare beginning and current price
Final Thoughts
The Nasdaq 100 YTD performance is a key metric for evaluating tech sector strength and broader market momentum. As of mid-2025, the index is showing solid double-digit returns, led by innovation-heavy stocks. Use this data to assess whether to stay invested, rebalance, or take profits based on your goals.
FAQs
Is the Nasdaq 100 outperforming in 2025?
Yes, it’s currently ahead of the S&P 500 and Dow Jones based on YTD return.
What is driving the Nasdaq 100 gains?
Growth in AI, semiconductors, and strong corporate earnings from top tech firms.
How often does YTD performance update?
It updates daily with the market—any new trading session affects YTD metrics.
How can I compare YTD returns of indexes?
Use tools like TradingView, Yahoo Finance, or ETF pages like QQQ and SPY.
Should I invest based on YTD performance?
Not alone. Combine it with long-term goals, valuation metrics, and risk analysis.
