The S&P 500, Dow & Nasdaq Since 2000 Highs as of September 2025

Core Insights - The S&P 500, Dow Jones Industrial Average, and Nasdaq Composite are key stock market indexes that reflect the performance of the U.S. stock market, typically moving in tandem but with varying degrees of gains or losses depending on market conditions and economic state [1][2]. Index Characteristics - The S&P 500 includes approximately 500 of the largest U.S. stocks, weighted by market capitalization, providing a broad market performance view [2]. - The Nasdaq comprises over 3,000 stocks, heavily focused on the technology sector, making it a benchmark for tech and growth companies, also weighted by market capitalization [2]. - The Dow consists of 30 well-established "blue-chip" stocks, with weightings based on stock prices, representing a more conservative market view [2]. Performance Analysis - As of September 2025, the S&P 500 increased by 3.5%, the Dow by 1.9%, and the Nasdaq by 5.6% from August [3]. - When adjusted for inflation, the real month-over-month changes were 3.2% for the S&P 500, 1.6% for the Dow, and 5.3% for the Nasdaq [4]. - Over the last decade, each index has shown significant growth: S&P 500 up 131%, Dow up 109%, and Nasdaq up 137% in real terms [4]. ETF Performance - The SPY ETF, tracking the S&P 500, shows a real purchasing power of $3,609 from an initial $1,000 investment made at its March 2000 peak, resulting in a real compounded annual return of 5.15% [5]. - The DIA ETF, tracking the Dow, has a current real purchasing power of $3,570 from the same initial investment at its January 2000 peak, yielding a real compounded annual return of 5.07% [6]. - The QQQ ETF, tracking the Nasdaq-100, has a current real purchasing power of $3,267 from the initial $1,000 investment at its March 2000 peak, with a real compounded annual return of 4.74% [7].