Head-to-head comparison
S&P 500 vs NASDAQ 100
Compare historical returns, risk, and performance of the S&P 500 and NASDAQ 100 across any time period
The S&P 500 tracks 500 of the largest U.S. companies across every sector — a broad snapshot of the American economy. The NASDAQ 100 tracks the 100 largest non-financial companies on the Nasdaq exchange, heavily weighted toward technology. Comparing the two shows how a broad market benchmark stacks up against a growth-and-tech-concentrated one, over any window you choose.
Comparison Chart
Performance & Risk Comparison
| Metric | S&P 500 | NASDAQ 100 |
|---|
Metrics update automatically based on the date range selected above. Sharpe Ratio uses CAGR and annualized volatility, not daily excess-return statistics — see methodology for details.
Current Index Characteristics
| Metric | S&P 500 | NASDAQ 100 |
|---|---|---|
| P/E Ratio (TTM) | ~24.50× | ~34.37× |
| Dividend Yield | ~1.07% | ~0.54% |
| Number of Constituents | 500 | 100 |
These are current values, independent of the date range selected above.
Difference Between the Indexes
What each index represents: The S&P 500 tracks 500 leading large-cap U.S. companies across a broad range of industries. The NASDAQ 100 tracks the 100 largest non-financial companies listed on the Nasdaq exchange, with a strong concentration in technology and growth-oriented businesses.
Diversification: The S&P 500 provides broader diversification across companies and sectors. The NASDAQ 100 has fewer constituents and greater exposure to a smaller group of large companies, making it more concentrated.
Sector exposure: The S&P 500 covers sectors including technology, healthcare, financials, industrials, consumer goods, energy and others. The NASDAQ 100 has a much larger technology and consumer-growth component and excludes financial companies.
Growth vs. broad-market exposure: The S&P 500 is commonly used as a broad measure of the U.S. large-cap market. The NASDAQ 100 has a stronger tilt toward technology, innovation and growth-oriented companies, which can provide greater upside during strong growth periods but can also increase downside risk.
Volatility: The NASDAQ 100 has historically experienced higher volatility than the S&P 500 because of its greater concentration in growth and technology companies. However, volatility changes over time and past patterns do not guarantee future results.
Historical performance: The performance of the two indexes varies across market cycles. The NASDAQ 100 has outperformed during some periods, particularly during strong technology-led markets, while the S&P 500 can benefit from broader sector participation. Comparing the same date range provides a more meaningful view than relying on a single historical period.
Dividend characteristics: The S&P 500 generally has a higher dividend yield because it includes more mature, dividend-paying companies across multiple sectors. The NASDAQ 100 generally has a lower dividend yield, as many of its largest companies place greater emphasis on reinvesting earnings for growth.
How to Invest in the S&P 500 and NASDAQ 100
Investors cannot buy an index directly. Instead, they can get exposure through ETFs or index funds that track the S&P 500 or NASDAQ 100.
For U.S. investors
U.S. investors have several ETFs that track these indexes.
S&P 500: VOO, IVV and SPY are among the best-known S&P 500 ETFs.
NASDAQ 100: QQQ and QQQM are widely used ETFs that track the NASDAQ 100.
When choosing between ETFs, investors can compare factors such as expense ratio, tracking difference, liquidity, dividend treatment and investment objective. The underlying index remains the main source of market exposure.
For investors outside the U.S.
International investors may have access to UCITS ETFs or locally available funds that track the same indexes. Availability, taxation, currency conversion, fund domicile and local regulations can vary by country.
For example, European and other international investors may encounter UCITS versions of S&P 500 and NASDAQ 100 ETFs rather than the U.S.-listed ETFs.
Before choosing an ETF
The ETF is only the vehicle; the index determines the underlying market exposure. Before investing, it can be useful to compare how the S&P 500 and NASDAQ 100 have performed over the same historical period, rather than judging either index from a single year's return.
Use the comparison above to change the date range and compare how the S&P 500 and NASDAQ 100 performed across different time periods, including their returns, CAGR, volatility, drawdowns and Sharpe ratios.
Markets change, and the better-performing index can vary from one period to another. Use the date selector above whenever you want to compare the S&P 500 and NASDAQ 100 over a different period or market cycle.
This comparison is for educational purposes and is not investment advice.
US ETFs
S&P 500 ETFs (Broad US Market)
| Ticker | Full Name | Issuer | Expense Ratio | Primary Use Case |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| VOO | Vanguard S&P 500 ETF | Vanguard | 0.03% | Most popular retail choice, ultra-low cost, high liquidity. |
| IVV | iShares Core S&P 500 ETF | BlackRock | 0.03% | Institutional & retail standard; top choice for commission-free platforms. |
| SPY | SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust | State Street | 0.0945% | Oldest & most liquid ETF in the world; heavy volume for options/day trading. |
| SPLG | SPDR Portfolio S&P 500 ETF | State Street | 0.02% | Lowest expense ratio alternative for retail buy-and-hold investors. |
Nasdaq 100 ETFs (Tech & Growth Heavy)
| Ticker | Full Name | Issuer | Expense Ratio | Primary Use Case |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| QQQ | Invesco QQQ Trust | Invesco | 0.20% | The flagship Nasdaq 100 ETF; 5th largest ETF globally, very high trading volume. |
| QQQM | Invesco NASDAQ 100 ETF | Invesco | 0.15% | "Mini QQQ" — cheaper fee designed specifically for long-term buy-and-hold investors. |
| IQQ | iShares Nasdaq 100 ETF | BlackRock | 0.10% | BlackRock's lower-cost direct competitor to QQQ. |
ETFs for International Investors
International / European UCITS Alternatives
S&P 500 UCITS ETFs
Nasdaq 100 UCITS ETFs
Disclaimer: This comparison is for informational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice. Past performance does not predict future results. ETF mentions are illustrative, not recommendations — always do your own research or consult a licensed financial advisor.