The early-2000s stock-market crash in internet-company shares followed the collapse of the Dot-com bubble.
The Dot-com bubble formed in the late 1990s as investors poured money into internet and technology companies. Many businesses received extremely high valuations despite limited revenue, large losses, or untested business models. The Nasdaq Composite reached 5,048.62 on 10 March 2000, marking its peak during the boom.
The bubble burst as investors demanded stronger evidence that internet companies could earn sustainable profits. The Nasdaq then fell dramatically, and many firms failed or were acquired. The crash is often associated with the broader 2000–2002 stock-market decline, although the September 2001 terrorist attacks and the accounting scandals at companies such as Enron also affected confidence. The Dot-com bubble should not be confused with the later housing and credit bubble that preceded the 2008 financial crisis.