As we closed the month of July, we used our publicly available analysis tools to place the performance of the Nasdaq Composite index within a historical context of market performance. In particular, we wished to better understand how Nasdaq Composite index performance in July 2025 compared to performance in July of previous years.
We start by looking at the Nasdaq Composite index end-of-day (i.e., close) values for the month of July 2025 (Figure 1). The Nasdaq Composite index gained significantly in July 2025, setting multiple new all-time high records (see below for details).
The Nasdaq Composite index gained 3.70% in July 2025 (Figure 2). In fact, the gain in July 2025 represented the fourth consecutive month of gains for the Nasdaq Composite index (Figure 2).
We then examined the historical performance of the Nasdaq Composite index for the month of July. Historically and on average, the Nasdaq Composite index has shown positive returns in July. Figure 3 shows average monthly (January to December) returns from January 1995 to July 2025. Based on this 31-year dataset, the Nasdaq Composite has exhibited an average return of +1.64% in July.
To delve deeper into the analysis shown in Figure 3 with a focus on the month of July, we examined the Nasdaq Composite index performance for every July from 1995 to 2025 (Figure 4). In July 2025, the Nasdaq Composite index had a gain of 3.70%. As shown in Figure 4, there is great variability with respect to returns in the month of July. On average, however, during the period examined, the Nasdaq Composite index has shown positive returns in July (see Figure 3 above). In fact, the observation of average positive returns for July holds true even if we extend the analysis to 1971 (not shown; see Market Index Performance).
Remarkably, fourteen (14) new all-time high records were set for the Nasdaq Composite index in July 2025 (Figure 5), as the technology sector (led by giants Microsoft and Meta) dominated the conversation and attracted investors' attention. Six (6) of the new all-time high records were set on consecutive market days spanning two (2) consecutive weeks (7/14/2025 to 7/21/2025). Year-to-date, the Nasdaq Composite index has had a total of sixteen (16) new all-time high records (Figure 5).
Summary
July 2025 was another very good month for the Nasdaq Composite index. The Nasdaq Composite index gained 3.70% in July 2025, marking four (4) consecutive months of gains for the Nasdaq Composite index. Fourteen (14) new all-time high records were set for the Nasdaq Composite index in July 2025. Six (6) of the new all-time high records were set on consecutive market days spanning two (2) consecutive weeks. As of the end of July 2025, year-to-date return for the Nasdaq Composite index is +9.38%.
To gain additional historical insights about market index performance, use any one of our Market Index Analysis tools. We use these analysis tools ourselves to gain insights into market performance and to highlight a variety of interesting observations in our historical insights articles.
