Nasdaq Composite returns by year
Nasdaq Composite has returned +12.7% annually (CAGR) since 2004. Calendar-year, monthly and weekly total returns for the Nasdaq Composite (proxied by ONEQ, dividends reinvested) below, through September 4, 2026 — the most recent year is Through September 4, 2026; the running year is Nasdaq Composite year-to-date.
- Annualized
- +12.7%
- 2004–2026
- Average year
- +14.8%
- 22 full years
- Best year
- +45.7%
- 2023
- Worst year
- -40.2%
- 2008
- Positive years
- 18/22
- 82% up
Nasdaq Composite returns by year (2004–2026)#
Calendar-year returns with each year's path and its dividend contribution (dividend return = total minus price return). Every year has a direct link you can bookmark or share.
| Year | Start price | End price | Path | Dividend | Total return |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026YTD | $91.4 | $104.46 | chart → | +0.3% | +14.6% |
| 2025 | $76.06 | $91.4 | +0.7% | +20.9% | |
| 2024 | $59.24 | $76.06 | +0.9% | +29.3% | |
| 2023 | $40.97 | $59.24 | +1.1% | +45.7% | |
| 2022 | $60.9 | $40.97 | +0.6% | -32.1% | |
| 2021 | $50.17 | $60.9 | +0.7% | +22.1% | |
| 2020 | $34.96 | $50.17 | +1.4% | +44.9% | |
| 2019 | $26 | $34.96 | +2.7% | +37.2% | |
| 2018 | $27.11 | $26 | +0.9% | -3.2% | |
| 2017 | $21.16 | $27.11 | +1.2% | +29.3% | |
| 2016 | $19.68 | $21.16 | +1.3% | +8.8% | |
| 2015 | $18.58 | $19.68 | +1.1% | +7.0% | |
| 2014 | $16.41 | $18.58 | +1.4% | +14.7% | |
| 2013 | $11.84 | $16.41 | +1.3% | +39.9% | |
| 2012 | $10.3 | $11.84 | +0.0% | +14.9% | |
| 2011 | $10.48 | $10.3 | +0.0% | -1.7% | |
| 2010 | $8.96 | $10.48 | +0.0% | +16.9% | |
| 2009 | $6.21 | $8.96 | +0.0% | +44.3% | |
| 2008 | $10.39 | $6.21 | +0.0% | -40.2% | |
| 2007 | $9.51 | $10.39 | +0.0% | +9.3% | |
| 2006 | $8.66 | $9.51 | +0.0% | +9.7% | |
| 2005 | $8.58 | $8.66 | +0.0% | +0.9% | |
| 2004 | $7.98 | $8.58 | +0.0% | +7.6% |
Total return by period#
Methodology#
Returns are total returns (dividends reinvested), computed from ONEQ's split- and dividend-adjusted closes — a standard proxy for the Nasdaq Composite. The bar chart switches between annual and monthly periods. Annualized return is the compound annual growth rate over the full period. The current year is year-to-date. Past performance does not predict future returns; not investment advice.
FAQ#
- What is Nasdaq Composite's average annual return?
- Since 2004, the Nasdaq Composite (proxied by ONEQ, dividends reinvested) has returned about 12.7% a year (the compound annual growth rate) and an average calendar-year return of 14.8%.
- What were Nasdaq Composite's best and worst years?
- Over 2004–2026, the best year was 2023 (+45.7%) and the worst was 2008 (-40.2%).
- How often is Nasdaq Composite up in a year?
- 18 of the 22 full years since 2004 were positive — about 82% of the time.
More on Nasdaq Composite
- Monthly returns+0.5%
- Weekly returns+0.4%
- Trailing returns+22.9%
- YTD return+14.6%
- Drawdown from high−2.1%