The 2000–2002 stock-market crash that followed the bursting of a technology-focused speculative bubble was the Dot-com crash.
During the late 1990s, investors poured money into internet-related companies, many of which had limited revenue or no profits. The Nasdaq Composite rose dramatically, reaching a record closing level of 5,048.62 on March 10, 2000. As expectations weakened, technology shares began a prolonged collapse.
The Nasdaq fell about 78% from its March 2000 peak to its October 2002 low. Numerous internet startups failed, while established technology companies also lost large amounts of market value. The attacks of September 11, 2001 and a broader economic slowdown added to the difficult environment, but the bubble had already begun to burst.
The crash is also called the dot-com bust or dot-com bubble burst. It should not be confused with the 2008 housing and financial crisis: the sectors, mechanisms, and timing were different, even though both episodes caused major market losses.