NASDAQ

National Association of Securities Dealers Automated Quotations, more popularly known as The NASDAQ, is the name of the American stock exchange. Credited for being the largest electronic screen-based equity securities trading market in the United States today, it was founded in the year 1971, by National Association of Securities Dealers (NASD). It began trading on 8th February 1971 and at the time it was the first electronic stock market in the world. The dealers (under NASD) divested themselves of the shares of The NASDAQ, through a series of sales that were carried out in 2002 and 2001.

After the divestment by National Association of Securities Dealers, The NASDAQ came to be owned as well as operated by the NASDAQ Group. It was, and presently is, monitored by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). In February 2008, NASDAQ Group took over Nordic-based operated exchange OMX, creating a trans-atlantic powerhouse, to be known as NASDAQ OMX Group. Apart from The NASDAQ, NASDAQ OMX Group operates eight stock exchanges in Europe and holds one-third of the Dubai Stock Exchange. NASDAQ is the second largest exchange in the United States.

The Present
At present, The NASDAQ boasts of a listing of as many as 3,300 companies. This has made its per-hour trading volume much more than that of any other stock exchange in the world. It also serves as the primary market for trading NASDAQ-listed stocks. Approximately 54% of NASDAQ-listed shares traded are reported to NASDAQ systems. The electronic stock exchange allows multiple market participants to trade through its electronic communications networks (ECNs) structure, thereby increasing competition.

Corporate Office
The NASDAQ Stock Market
One Liberty Plaza
165 Broadway
New York, NY 10006
Phone: 212-401-8700
Website: www.nasdaq.com