Which U.S. index first reached 5,000 during the dot-com bubble before its 2000–2002 crash?

The Nasdaq Composite was the U.S. index that first reached 5,000 during the dot-com bubble before its 2000–2002 crash.

The technology-heavy index closed above 5,000 on March 10, 2000, at 5,048.62. Its rise reflected extraordinary enthusiasm for internet and technology companies, including firms with little revenue or no profits. Investors often valued businesses according to expected future growth rather than established earnings.

The peak marked the beginning of a severe reversal. The Nasdaq Composite fell about 78 percent from its March 2000 high to its October 2002 low. Many internet startups failed, while surviving companies faced a much harsher focus on cash flow, earnings, and sustainable business models.

The Nasdaq Composite is not the same as the Nasdaq-100. The Composite includes thousands of Nasdaq-listed common stocks, whereas the Nasdaq-100 tracks 100 large nonfinancial companies. That distinction matters when comparing historical records and crash statistics.