Which U.S. stock index lost about 78% of its value between March 2000 and October 2002?

The Nasdaq Composite lost about 78% of its value between March 2000 and October 2002 during the dot-com crash.

The technology-heavy index peaked at 5,048.62 on March 10, 2000, after years of enthusiasm for internet and technology companies. Many firms had little revenue or no profits, yet their shares attracted enormous speculation.

After the peak, investors began reassessing those valuations. The Nasdaq fell sharply as technology companies missed expectations, financing became harder to obtain and numerous internet businesses failed. By October 9, 2002, the index had fallen to about 1,114, a decline of roughly 78% from its peak.

The Nasdaq’s collapse is often confused with a total disappearance of internet innovation. The crash destroyed large amounts of market value, but surviving companies and later businesses helped establish the commercial internet economy. The S&P 500 also declined, though its fall was much smaller than the Nasdaq’s.