The Nasdaq 100 groups the 100 largest non-financial caps listed on Nasdaq. Tech-dominated at 60 % (Apple, Microsoft, Nvidia, Amazon, Meta, Alphabet, Tesla, Broadcom). More volatile than S&P 500, better performing over 20 years (~13 %/year vs 9 %/year).
The Nasdaq 100 is weighted by free-float market cap with an explicit cap: no single stock can weigh more than 24 % of the index (special rebalancing if needed). This rule has been activated 3 times since 1999, twice for Apple.
Nasdaq 100 top 10 in April 2026 (approximate weights):
The top 10 alone weighs ~50 % of the index. Extreme concentration: the Nasdaq 100's health depends on these 10 companies.
Sectors represented (Apple, Microsoft, Alphabet classified as "tech"): - Technology: ~58 % - Communications (Meta, Alphabet, Netflix, Comcast): ~15 % - Consumer Discretionary (Amazon, Tesla, Starbucks, Booking): ~13 % - Healthcare (Amgen, Gilead, Vertex, Regeneron): ~7 % - Industrials + others: ~7 %
Over 20 years (2006-2026), the Nasdaq 100 delivered approximately 13 %/year with dividends reinvested, vs 9 % for the S&P 500. Several reasons:
But watch out: volatility is also higher. In 2022, the Nasdaq 100 lost -33 % vs -19 % for the S&P 500. From 2000-2002, it was -78 % (dot-com bubble). Asymmetric risk/reward upside long-term, but painful drawdowns short-term.
4 common vehicles from France:
1. ETF QQQ (the most known) — the Invesco QQQ Trust ETF, the largest Nasdaq 100 ETF worldwide (~$250B AUM). Listed in New York, accessible via brokerage account at Trade Republic, Interactive Brokers, Saxo. Fees 0.20 %/year.
2. Equivalent European UCITS ETF — iShares Nasdaq 100 (CNDX, EXXT) or Invesco EQQQ. Listed in London and Amsterdam, UCITS compliant (European regulation). Fees 0.20-0.33 %/year.
3. PEA-eligible Nasdaq 100 ETF (the tax hack) — Amundi Nasdaq 100 PEA (PANX), the only synthetic Nasdaq 100 ETF eligible for PEA. Fees 0.23 %/year + small swap cost (~0.10 %/year). Benefit: capital gains tax-exempt after 5 years in the PEA (only 17.2 % social contributions). For long-term investing with amount > €50K, PEA saves 5-7 %/year net vs a regular brokerage account.
4. Nasdaq 100 EUR hedged ETF — iShares Nasdaq 100 EUR Hedged (CNDH). Neutralizes USD/EUR currency risk for 0.10 %/year extra fees. Relevant if you expect a bearish dollar or very volatile EUR/USD period.
Leveraged Nasdaq 100? Some 2× ETFs exist (TQQQ in US, LQQ from Lyxor in Europe) that amplify moves. Avoid for buy-and-hold: these products lose value in sideways markets due to beta slippage. Reserved for short-term traders with strict stop-loss.
SpaceX's imminent inclusion in the Nasdaq 100 index is already attracting institutional investors. Elon Musk's company is gaining credibility on Wall Street.
Forward Industries, a Nasdaq-listed company, is proposing a merger with a firm specializing in the Solana ecosystem. This marks a surprising shift toward crypto for this traditional manufacturer.
Within just a few hours of trading, SpaceX surpassed a market capitalization of $2 trillion and joined the top three U.S. tech giants. Amazon is now within reach.
Goldman Sachs is analyzing the impact of massive investments in AI on the profitability of S&P 500 companies. The findings may come as a surprise.
Jay Hoag, a long-time Netflix director, is becoming chairman of the board. Reed Hastings is stepping down from the role but will remain on the board.
Meta Platforms is paying a dividend of $0.525 per share for the second quarter of 2026. This continuity is reassuring to shareholders following the program’s launch in 2024.
Bitcoin is rebounding and has once again surpassed $77,000. The reasons behind this include hopes for a deal with Iran and Nasdaq’s plans for crypto options.
Eric Richard Remer, Chief Legal Officer of EverCommerce, has just sold 3,210 shares on the Nasdaq for $224,000. Is this a bearish signal or simply portfolio management?
The Trump administration is preparing a massive funding program to boost U.S. exports of artificial intelligence. The tech war is heating up.
Hope Bancorp has just broken above its 200-day moving average. This is a technical signal that is often overinterpreted by traders and can hide a trap.
The U.S. retail giant hit an all-time high of $1,070 after raising its quarterly dividend by 13%. Investors are welcoming this cash-rich move.
Zillow's CFO has just sold 9,172 shares under a 10b5-1 plan. This was a pre-scheduled sale that raises no red flags, but the timing is noteworthy.
SpaceX shareholders approve a 5-for-1 stock split. The share price drops from $526.59 to $105.32 ahead of the historic IPO scheduled for June 12 on the Nasdaq.
Oil prices have surpassed $110, while Nasdaq 100 futures are down 0.6% following OpenAI's struggles to attract new users and meet its sales targets.
Apple is up 3% to $279.55 in pre-market trading. The company is projecting 14% to 17% growth in the third quarter, well above Wall Street expectations.
American stocks are touching new highs at the end of April. US indices continue their upward surge without interruption.
The AI chip giant reaches a record valuation after a 4.3% surge during the session. A symbolic milestone that reshapes the global tech hierarchy.
Futures forecast a decline in all three major indices. Bank of America posts higher earnings thanks to volatile markets, while Morgan Stanley unveils its results.
The Nasdaq 100 e-mini is up 0.42% as traders watch for signs of peace in the Middle East and a new salvo of major corporate results.
Larry McDonald, former trader at Lehman, predicts a 35% crash of the S&P 500 against a backdrop of high rates and disillusionment over AI - a warning to be taken seriously, without falling into panic.