Which stock-market index reached its dot-com-era peak in March 2000 before the technology crash?

The Nasdaq Composite reached its dot-com-era peak in March 2000 before the technology stock-market crash.

The index closed at 5,048.62 on March 10, 2000. The Nasdaq contained many technology and internet companies, so it became the clearest gauge of investor enthusiasm for the emerging commercial web. Companies could attract enormous valuations even when they had limited revenue or no profits.

After the peak, technology shares began a prolonged decline. Rising interest rates, stricter scrutiny of business models, and disappointing results weakened confidence. The Nasdaq eventually lost about 78% of its value from its March 2000 peak to its October 2002 low.

The dot-com crash did not mean that the internet itself lacked economic value. Many speculative companies failed, but several durable businesses survived and later grew substantially. The Nasdaq eventually exceeded its 2000 closing high in 2015, showing the difference between a lasting technology trend and unsustainable market valuations.