Nasdaq Composite total returns by year (including dividends)
As of market close, Oct 21, 2026
Nasdaq Composite total 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.
See every year as a chart, with the events that moved it → Or click a year below for its own chart.
| Year | Start price | End price | Path | Dividend | Total return |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026YTD | $91.40 | $105.23 | chart → | 0.4% | +15.6% |
| 2025 | $76.06 | $91.40 | chart → | 0.7% | +20.9% |
| 2024 | $59.24 | $76.06 | chart → | 0.9% | +29.3% |
| 2023 | $40.97 | $59.24 | chart → | 1.1% | +45.7% |
| 2022 | $60.90 | $40.97 | chart → | 0.6% | -32.1% |
| 2021 | $50.17 | $60.90 | chart → | 0.7% | +22.1% |
| 2020 | $34.96 | $50.17 | chart → | 1.4% | +44.9% |
| 2019 | $26.00 | $34.96 | chart → | 2.7% | +37.2% |
| 2018 | $27.11 | $26.00 | chart → | 0.9% | -3.2% |
| 2017 | $21.16 | $27.11 | chart → | 1.2% | +29.3% |
| 2016 | $19.68 | $21.16 | chart → | 1.3% | +8.8% |
| 2015 | $18.58 | $19.68 | chart → | 1.1% | +7.0% |
| 2014 | $16.41 | $18.58 | chart → | 1.4% | +14.7% |
| 2013 | $11.84 | $16.41 | chart → | 1.3% | +39.9% |
| 2012 | $10.30 | $11.84 | chart → | 0.0% | +14.9% |
| 2011 | $10.48 | $10.30 | chart → | 0.0% | -1.7% |
| 2010 | $8.96 | $10.48 | chart → | 0.0% | +16.9% |
| 2009 | $6.21 | $8.96 | chart → | 0.0% | +44.3% |
| 2008 | $10.39 | $6.21 | chart → | 0.0% | -40.2% |
| 2007 | $9.51 | $10.39 | chart → | 0.0% | +9.3% |
| 2006 | $8.66 | $9.51 | chart → | 0.0% | +9.7% |
| 2005 | $8.58 | $8.66 | chart → | 0.0% | +0.9% |
| 2004 | $7.98 | $8.58 | chart → | 0.0% | +7.6% |
- Annualized
- +12.7%
- 2004–2026
- Positive years
- 18/22
- 82% up
Total return by period#
Methodology#
Total returns, dividends reinvested, measured on ONEQ. Annualized return is the compound annual growth rate; the current year is year-to-date. Past performance does not predict future returns.
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
- Yearly charts+20.9%
- Trailing returns+17.1%
- YTD return+15.6%
- Return calculator$1,842
- Average return10%?
- Companies & weights1006
- Stock performance1006
- Dividend yield0.55%
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