S&P 500 or Nasdaq-100: which index fund is better?

What this video covers

Five-year gains and the 2022 losses for both indices as animated bars, then what each index holds. It shows why higher returns came with deeper falls, so neither index is best for everyone.

Sources and the longer explanation: S&P 500 or Nasdaq-100: Which Index Is Better?.

Numbers shown on screen

• Nasdaq-100: +74.6%
• S&P 500: +56.5%
• Nasdaq-100: −33.0%
• S&P 500: −19.4%
• 80% of available US market value is covered by the S&P 500

How the visuals were made

In 0:55 the video moves through 7 scenes, including a column chart, “Five-year price change to Nov 2026”; a column chart, “2022 price change”; a side-by-side comparison of S&P 500 and Nasdaq-100; a ring chart showing 80%. All graphics were rendered frame by frame by UXS; no stock footage, logos or faces are used.

Chapters

• 0:00 S&P 500 or Nasdaq-100: which is better?
• 0:06 Five-year price change to Nov 2026
• 0:16 2022 price change
• 0:23
• 0:30 of available US market value is covered by the S&P 500
• 0:44 Could you hold through −33%?
• 0:51 Risk note

Transcript

S&P 500 or Nasdaq-100: which is better? Neither, for everyone.

Over five years to November 2026, the Nasdaq-100 rose 74.6%, the S&P 500 56.5%.

But in 2022 it fell 33%, against 19.4% for the S&P 500.

The Nasdaq-100 excludes financial companies and is more concentrated, so its swings are bigger both ways.

The S&P 500 covers about 80% of available US market value. And most big Nasdaq-100 names are also top S&P 500 holdings, so owning both doubles up more than it diversifies.

One test: could you hold through a fall like 2022, when the Nasdaq-100 lost a third?

Educational only, not financial advice.