Infographic – Biotech Index Returns to Earth

Click on image for full-size view (Nasdaq)

1 Jan. 2022. As 2022 begins, it’s time to review the Nasdaq Biotechnology Index for 2021, an indicator of investor sentiment in an industry based on scientific research. When we last looked at NBI in early October 2021, the index began to dip in late September, which turned into steady decline into December.

NBI opened on 4 Jan. 2021 at 4759.14, then rose sharply through January. In early February, however, the index fell sharply, then fluctuated around the 4750 mark until mid-May. At that point, NBI began an upward trend reaching 5496.19 on 9 Aug., its high point for the year. In the next six weeks, the index largely fluctuated between 5200 and 5400.

After 23 Sept, NBI headed south, falling to 4523.82 on 6 Dec. That decline in the index from its peak on 9 Aug. to its close on 6 Dec. represents a loss of 18 percent. Since 6 Dec., NBI rose modestly to its close yesterday at 4728.94. For 2021, NBI ended up almost where it began, declining 0.6 percent. By comparison, the Nasdaq Composite Index, an indicator of investor sentiment for the broader technology sector, rose 21 percent for the year.

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