Nasdaq hits 3,000 for 1st time since Dec. 13, 2000

3/1/2012

NEW YORK — The Nasdaq composite index briefly broke through 3,000 on Wednesday for the first time since the collapse in dot-com stocks more than a decade ago. Stocks ended lower, but it was still the best February on Wall Street in 14 years.

The Nasdaq last hit 3,000 on Dec. 13, 2000. It was only above 3,000 for seconds on Wednesday before closing down 19.87 points at 2,966.89.

For the month, the Dow gained 2.5 percent, the S&P 4.1 percent, and the Nasdaq 5.4 percent. The last time the stock market had such a strong February was 1998.