NASDAQ-100 ETF Portfolio Tracker: Monitor Your Tech ETF
TL;DR
- ▸NASDAQ-100 ETFs track the 100 largest non-financial US companies — heavily weighted towards tech and growth
- ▸Two major UCITS options: EQAC (Apollo, 0.00% TER) and EQQQ (Invesco, 0.30% TER), both Ireland-domiciled
- ▸Import your broker CSV into DonkyCapital to track NASDAQ-100 performance, TWR and benchmark comparison
- ▸Monitor true total return including reinvested dividends — not just price change
- ▸Supported brokers: DEGIRO, Scalable Capital, Trade Republic, Fineco and more
The NASDAQ-100 is one of the most widely followed equity indices globally, tracking the 100 largest non-financial companies listed on the NASDAQ exchange. Since its creation in 1985, the index has delivered an impressive average annual return of approximately 14%, outpacing the S&P 500 over most long-term periods. However, this higher return comes with noticeably higher volatility — drawdowns of 30% or more are not uncommon during tech sell-offs. The index is heavily weighted towards technology and growth stocks, offering concentrated exposure to US innovation leaders like Apple, Microsoft, NVIDIA and Amazon. For European investors, tracking a NASDAQ-100 ETF correctly — including true total return, currency effects and benchmark comparison — requires more than a broker app can offer. This guide explains the fundamentals of the NASDAQ-100, why proper tracking matters for European portfolios, and shows how to monitor your NASDAQ-100 ETF with DonkyCapital.
What Is the NASDAQ-100 and Why Do Investors Choose It?
The NASDAQ-100 Index was created in 1985 and includes 100 of the largest non-financial companies listed on the NASDAQ stock exchange. It covers roughly 60% technology weighting, with mega-cap names like Apple, Microsoft, NVIDIA, Amazon and Alphabet dominating the index. The top 10 holdings alone represent approximately 50% of the total index weight, reflecting significant concentration. Unlike the S&P 500, the NASDAQ-100 deliberately excludes financial companies, making it a pure bet on technology and growth sectors.
For European investors, NASDAQ-100 ETFs are available in accumulating (Acc) share classes. The two most popular UCITS options are EQAC (Apollo, 0.00% TER) and EQQQ (Invesco, 0.30% TER), both domiciled in Ireland. Ireland-domiciled ETFs benefit from the US-Ireland tax treaty, reducing withholding tax on US dividends from 30% to 15%. The index sector breakdown is approximately 60% Technology, 17% Consumer Discretionary, 8% Communication Services, 7% Healthcare, and 8% other sectors. Notably, EQAC is a synthetic ETF with a 0.00% total expense ratio, while EQQQ uses physical replication at 0.30%.
Why Should You Track Your NASDAQ-100 ETF with a Portfolio App?
Broker apps show you the current price and a rough gain/loss, but they do not calculate your true investment return. Most platforms only display price return — ignoring dividends entirely or assuming they are reinvested at the wrong time. They do not compute Time-Weighted Return (TWR), which isolates your actual investment performance from the noise of cash flow timing. And if you hold ETFs across multiple brokers, there is no way to see a consolidated view. For volatile ETFs like the NASDAQ-100, where timing of purchases can significantly impact returns, these limitations are particularly problematic:
- ▸True TWR (Time-Weighted Return): accounts for the timing of every purchase and accurately isolates your investment skill from cash flow effects
- ▸Benchmark comparison: is your NASDAQ-100 ETF outperforming or underperforming the index? Track it against NASDAQ-100 Total Return or a custom benchmark
- ▸Portfolio weight monitoring: know exactly what percentage of your total portfolio is in NASDAQ-100 at any moment — critical for tech overexposure risk
- ▸Multi-broker consolidation: if you hold EQAC at one broker and EQQQ at another, see the combined picture in one dashboard
How Do You Import NASDAQ-100 ETF Transactions into DonkyCapital?
DonkyCapital supports CSV imports from all major European brokers including DEGIRO, Scalable Capital, Trade Republic, Fineco and Interactive Brokers. Your NASDAQ-100 ETF is recognised automatically by ISIN — simply export your transaction history and upload:
- 1.Export your transaction history from your broker (DEGIRO: Portfolio → Transactions → Export CSV; Scalable Capital: Documents → Transaction History; Trade Republic: Account → History → Export)
- 2.Log in to DonkyCapital and go to Import — select your broker format from the dropdown
- 3.Upload the CSV file. DonkyCapital automatically matches your NASDAQ-100 ETF by ISIN (IE0032077012 for EQQQ, IE0002QV5G57 for EQAC)
- 4.Review the imported transactions and confirm. Your NASDAQ-100 position now appears in the dashboard with full performance metrics
What Metrics Should You Monitor for Your NASDAQ-100 ETF?
Once imported, DonkyCapital shows you a comprehensive set of metrics that go well beyond what any broker app provides. These are the key numbers every NASDAQ-100 investor should watch:
Time-Weighted Return (TWR)
The standard metric for measuring ETF performance independently of your cash flow timing. For volatile assets like the NASDAQ-100, TWR is especially important because it reveals whether your buy timing actually added value or if a simple lump-sum approach would have been better.
Portfolio Weight
Track what percentage of your total portfolio is in NASDAQ-100. If it drifts significantly above your target allocation — say beyond 40% — DonkyCapital alerts you to rebalance, helping avoid tech overexposure. This is critical given the index's high concentration in a handful of mega-cap names.
Unrealised Gain/Loss
See the total gain in absolute EUR terms and as a percentage, updated daily based on the latest NAV from market data providers. DonkyCapital calculates your cost basis across multiple purchases at different prices, giving you a clear picture of your actual profit or loss at any time.
Benchmark Comparison
Compare NASDAQ-100 performance against S&P 500, MSCI World or a custom benchmark over 1Y, 3Y and 5Y periods in a single chart. This helps you evaluate whether your tech-heavy allocation is delivering the returns you expect relative to broader markets.
Frequently Asked Questions about NASDAQ-100 ETF Tracking
What is the difference between EQAC and EQQQ?
EQAC tracks the same NASDAQ-100 index but charges 0.00% TER, making it one of the cheapest ETFs in Europe. It uses synthetic replication. EQQQ has been around longer, charges 0.30% TER, uses physical replication, and has a larger fund size with a proven track record. For most investors, the choice comes down to cost versus established history and replication method.
Is a NASDAQ-100 ETF suitable as a core portfolio holding?
The NASDAQ-100 is concentrated in tech and growth stocks with significant single-index risk. Most advisors recommend combining it with broader ETFs like VWCE or IWDA for diversification. It works well as a satellite allocation for investors seeking higher growth potential who accept higher volatility.
How do I handle currency risk with NASDAQ-100 ETFs?
NASDAQ-100 ETFs are priced in USD while your reporting currency is EUR. When the EUR strengthens against the USD, your NASDAQ-100 position shows lower returns in EUR terms even if the underlying index is flat. DonkyCapital's FX widget shows you the EUR/USD rate in real time, and you can set a EUR-hedged benchmark to isolate pure index performance from currency effects.
How often should I check my NASDAQ-100 portfolio?
Monthly reviews are sufficient for a passive NASDAQ-100 investor. The goal is to monitor whether your overall allocation has drifted significantly from your target (e.g. beyond 5% threshold) and to log any new purchases. Daily checking typically leads to emotional decisions that hurt long-term returns.
Can I track NASDAQ-100 alongside other ETFs in DonkyCapital?
Yes. DonkyCapital is designed for multi-asset, multi-broker portfolios. You can track EQAC alongside VWCE, IWDA, bonds, individual stocks and crypto in a single unified dashboard. The portfolio weight and allocation widgets give you a complete picture.
What are the tax implications of holding NASDAQ-100 ETFs as a European investor?
Most NASDAQ-100 ETFs available to Europeans are domiciled in Ireland, benefiting from the US-Ireland tax treaty that reduces withholding tax on dividends to 15% (vs 30% for direct US holdings). Accumulating ETFs defer the tax event — you pay capital gains tax when you sell, not on dividends. Your specific tax treatment depends on your country of residence.
Why does tech concentration matter in the NASDAQ-100?
With approximately 60% in technology and the top 10 holdings representing roughly 50% of the index, the NASDAQ-100 is far more concentrated than broad indices like the S&P 500. A downturn in a few mega-cap tech names can significantly impact the entire index. This is why portfolio weight monitoring is essential for risk management.
How did the NASDAQ-100 perform during the 2022 crash?
In 2022, the NASDAQ-100 fell approximately 33% as rising interest rates hit growth and tech stocks particularly hard. This highlighted the higher volatility of the index compared to the S&P 500 (which fell about 19%). However, the NASDAQ-100 also recovered strongly in subsequent years, rewarding investors who maintained their positions. Understanding this volatility is crucial for setting realistic expectations.
What is the difference between the NASDAQ-100 and the NASDAQ Composite?
The NASDAQ-100 includes only the 100 largest non-financial companies, while the NASDAQ Composite includes over 3,000 stocks listed on the NASDAQ exchange, including financial companies. The NASDAQ-100 is more concentrated and has higher tech exposure. Most ETFs track the NASDAQ-100, not the Composite.
Should I use dollar-cost averaging for NASDAQ-100 investments?
Historical data shows that lump sum investing beats DCA roughly 67% of the time. However, given the NASDAQ-100's higher volatility, DCA can reduce the emotional pain of investing at a peak. Many investors use a hybrid approach: invest a portion immediately and drip-feed the rest over 3-6 months to balance opportunity cost against risk reduction.
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Import your NASDAQ-100 ETF transactions and immediately see TWR, benchmark comparison and portfolio allocation. No credentials required — just a CSV export.
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