NASDAQ definition

NASDAQ refers to the Nasdaq Stock Market, a major electronic US stock exchange known for listing technology, growth, and innovation companies. The name is also used for the exchange's stock indices.

The Nasdaq Composite tracks thousands of Nasdaq-listed companies, while the Nasdaq 100 tracks 100 of the largest non-financial companies on the exchange. When traders say 'the Nasdaq is up', they usually mean one of these indices.

Large Nasdaq-listed stocks can drive technology-sector performance and US equity direction. You can take exposure through individual shares, stock CFDs, exchange-traded funds, or index products linked to the Nasdaq indices.

NASDAQ Example

You want exposure to large US technology stocks, so you track the Nasdaq 100, which holds names such as:

- Apple - Microsoft - Amazon - Meta Platforms - Nvidia

Strong earnings from several large Nasdaq-listed stocks can push the Nasdaq 100 higher. Weak guidance from the same names can pull it lower, because large companies carry heavy weight in the index.