Nasdaq

On February 8, 1971, the National Association of Securities Dealers launched a system that would fundamentally change how people trade stocks. Nasdaq started as an automated quotation service displaying bid and ask prices for over 2,500 securities on computer screens. Traders didn't execute deals through the screen immediately; they still picked up the phone to finalize transactions. This hybrid approach introduced unprecedented transparency to the over-the-counter market, replacing the chaotic floor-based trading that had dominated finance for decades.

Today, the exchange is synonymous with technology giants. Companies like Apple, Microsoft, Amazon, and Alphabet list their shares here, making Nasdaq the financial heart of the digital economy. Its flagship index, the Nasdaq Composite, tracks more than 3,000 stocks and serves as a primary barometer for growth-oriented investments. The Nasdaq-100 follows the 100 largest non-financial companies, offering investors a focused view on the sector's leaders.

Beyond running an exchange, Nasdaq operates as a global technology provider. It sells data feeds, analytics software, and trading platforms to institutions worldwide. The organization expanded significantly in 2007 when it acquired OMX, bringing exchanges in Stockholm, Helsinki, Copenhagen, and the Baltic states under its umbrella. Headquartered at One Liberty Plaza in New York City, the company now employs thousands globally and manages three distinct listing tiers alongside a private market for pre-IPO companies. [düzenle]

The organization aims to operate fair and orderly markets while protecting investors and advancing the public interest. Governance relies on a Board of Directors that oversees management to ensure long-term value for stockholders. A Global Code of Ethics applies to all employees and directors, reinforcing a commitment to integrity in financial operations. The exchange regularly discusses strategic plans and risks to maintain transparency and accountability in its dealings. [düzenle]

The concept took shape in the late 1960s when the National Association of Securities Dealers recognized that the existing over-the-counter trading system lacked efficiency. By 1971, Nasdaq launched as a computerized quotation system that displayed real-time prices for more than 2,500 securities. Although trades were still executed via telephone, the new system brought speed and transparency that the old method could not match.

The 1980s marked a turning point as Nasdaq became the preferred venue for emerging technology firms. Intel listed in 1971, followed by Apple in 1980 and Microsoft in 1986. These high-profile listings cemented the exchange's reputation as the home of the tech industry. Trading volumes surged during the dot-com boom of the 1990s before the market corrected in 2000. Following this period, the exchange tightened listing standards and began diversifying its business model.

In 2007, Nasdaq merged with the Scandinavian exchange group OMX, acquiring operations in Stockholm, Helsinki, Copenhagen, and the Baltics. The parent company rebranded as Nasdaq, Inc. in 2008. Under CEO Adena Friedman, who assumed leadership in 2017, the organization shifted focus from being just an exchange operator to a technology company that runs an exchange. This strategy emphasizes selling data, analytics, and software solutions to financial institutions globally. [düzenle]