Indexy a trhy
NASDAQ 100: The Technological Core of the American Market
Key takeaways
- The NASDAQ 100 includes the hundred largest non-financial companies listed on the NASDAQ exchange — technology dominates, but it is not a pure tech index.
- The index is weighted by adjusted market capitalisation and periodically rebalanced to prevent excessive concentration.
- Historically it has delivered higher returns than the S&P 500, but at the cost of significantly higher volatility and deeper drawdowns.
- For Czech investors, Irish UCITS ETFs tracking this index are available through standard brokerage platforms.
- Suitable as a complement to a broader portfolio, not as a standalone equity fund.
The NASDAQ 100 is an index tracking the hundred largest non-financial companies listed on the American NASDAQ exchange, with the technology sector forming its absolute backbone. Created in 1985, it has since become synonymous with growth investing.
What the index contains and how it is constructed
The name "NASDAQ 100" is a little misleading — it does not cover the hundred largest companies in the world or in the US, but the hundred largest non-financial companies traded on the NASDAQ exchange. Banks and insurance companies are therefore absent. In their place, technology, consumer discretionary firms and healthcare dominate.
The index uses adjusted market capitalisation. Once a year a special rebalancing takes place to ensure no company exceeds the weight limits defined by the index rules. Even so, the top three to five companies together typically account for a quarter to a third of the total.
Return and risk: what the data shows
Historically the NASDAQ 100 has outperformed the S&P 500 over long periods — but at the cost of higher volatility. In 2000–2002 it lost over 80%. In 2022 it fell by more than a third. Those who stayed invested were rewarded; those who sold at the wrong time suffered substantial losses.
- Higher beta to the market: significantly outperforms in good years, significantly underperforms in bad ones
- Strong sensitivity to interest rates: technology companies are sensitive to the discount rate
- Concentration — a handful of companies drive a large share of performance
NASDAQ 100 vs S&P 500: when it makes sense
The NASDAQ 100 is not a substitute for the S&P 500 but a complement for investors who consciously want greater exposure to technology and accept the higher volatility that comes with it. A comparison of both indices and portfolio thinking is covered in the article All-World vs. S&P 500.
How to buy it as a Czech investor
Irish UCITS ETFs tracking the NASDAQ 100 exist and are available at most European online brokers. The Irish domicile (ISIN "IE") is advantageous from a dividend tax perspective. Broker selection is covered in the broker selection guide. This is not investment advice.
FAQ
What is the NASDAQ 100?
An index of the hundred largest non-financial companies traded on the NASDAQ exchange. Technology firms dominate, which is why it is referred to as a technology index, but it also contains healthcare and consumer companies.
Is the NASDAQ 100 riskier than the S&P 500?
Yes, significantly. It has higher volatility, larger drawdowns in crisis years, and stronger concentration in a small number of companies. In good years, however, it has historically outperformed the S&P 500 by a substantial margin.
How is the NASDAQ 100 rebalanced?
Composition is reviewed quarterly, and at least once a year a special rebalancing corrects company weights so that none becomes excessively dominant. The largest companies still remain dominant, however.
How do I buy the NASDAQ 100 in the Czech Republic?
Through an Irish UCITS ETF available at most European brokers. The ISIN starts with "IE". Dividends are taxed at fund level under the favourable Irish–US treaty; with an accumulating ETF nothing is taxed on an ongoing basis.