Which stock-market index reached 5,048.62 on March 10, 2000, before the dot-com crash?

The Nasdaq Composite reached 5,048.62 on March 10, 2000, before the dot-com crash.

The Nasdaq Composite was heavily associated with technology and internet companies, so it became the most visible market gauge of the dot-com boom. Investors poured money into firms with promising web-based business models, even when those companies had little revenue or no profits. Low interest rates and enthusiasm about a new digital economy helped fuel the rise.

After the March 2000 peak, technology shares began a steep decline. Many companies failed when financing dried up, advertising revenue disappointed, or business plans proved unsustainable. The Nasdaq eventually fell about 78% from its peak to its October 2002 low.

The crash did not mean that the internet lacked economic value. Companies such as Amazon and other survivors later grew substantially, but the bubble had priced many businesses on expectations rather than proven earnings. The Nasdaq’s 2000 record therefore became a classic example of how innovation and speculation can rise together.