COMPOUNDLY · LEDGER No. 03 — YOUR PLAN vs. THE NASDAQ-100

Compoundly

Set your own terms, then see how they stack up against the Nasdaq-100 Index's real 40-year track record.

"Compound interest is the eighth wonder of the world. He who understands it, earns it… he who doesn't, pays it." — often attributed to Einstein, probably apocryphal, but the math checks out

About the Nasdaq-100 comparison: The Nasdaq-100 Index launched on January 31, 1985 — it turned 40 in January 2025, so this is a genuine 40-year figure. Since inception through Dec 31, 2024, it delivered a compound annualized return of roughly 14.25% per year, which is the default below. That average hides brutal swings: the index fell about 83% from 2000–2002 during the dot-com bust, and dropped roughly 33% in 2022, alongside monster years like +102% in 1999 and +54.7% in 2009. You can't invest directly in the index, but index funds that track it (like QQQ or QQQM) aim to mirror this performance, minus a small annual fee.
Starting balance
$
Your annual return rate
%
Periodic additions
$
Duration (years)
Compound frequency
Mode
Nasdaq-100 comparison rate (since 1985, compound annualized)
%
Your plan 🏆 Ahead
$0
Profit$0
Nasdaq-100, since 1985 🏆 Ahead
$0
Profit$0
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Nasdaq-100 Returns Over the Last 40 Years
Actual calendar-year returns, 1985–2024 — averaging 13.7% per year (simple average; 14.25% compound annualized)
Your plan Nasdaq-100 (14.25%/yr)
Year Your plan Nasdaq-100
Important Educational tool only — not financial advice. Compoundly is not a licensed financial adviser in Singapore or anywhere else. Nothing here is a recommendation to buy, sell, or hold any security. Past performance does not predict future results. Please speak with a licensed financial adviser before making investment decisions.
Nasdaq-100 figures use its actual compound annualized return since inception (~14.25%, as of Dec 31, 2024) applied evenly at your chosen frequency and contribution schedule — not a real year-by-year replay of 1985–2025, so it smooths out the index's actual volatility. Index funds that track it charge fees that slightly reduce real-world returns.
Disclaimer

Compoundly is an educational calculator, not a financial adviser. It is not licensed or regulated by the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) or any other financial regulator, and nothing on this site constitutes financial, investment, tax, or legal advice. All figures are illustrative projections based on historical averages and the assumptions you enter — they are not guarantees, forecasts, or recommendations. Past performance of the Nasdaq-100 Index or any fund does not predict future results. Investing involves risk, including possible loss of principal. Please consult a licensed financial adviser before making any investment decision.

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Terms of Use

Compoundly is provided "as is," for informational and educational purposes only, with no warranty of accuracy, completeness, or fitness for any particular purpose. Historical data is sourced from public market data and believed to be accurate as of the dates noted, but may contain errors and is not independently audited. Use of this calculator is at your own risk, and Compoundly accepts no liability for decisions made based on its output.