Nasdaq, Inc. operates in the financial services industry as a global exchange operator and financial technology provider. Founded in 1971, Nasdaq launched the world’s first electronic stock market and has since evolved into a diversified provider of market infrastructure, data, and software solutions.

Nasdaq’s core business segments include:

• Market Services, including operation of U.S. equity exchanges and derivatives markets.

• Corporate Platforms, providing governance, investor relations, and capital markets solutions.

• Investment Intelligence, delivering market data, indices, and analytics.

• Market Technology, supplying trading, clearing, and surveillance systems to exchanges and financial institutions globally.

In the United States, Nasdaq operates multiple equity exchanges, including The Nasdaq Stock Market, as well as options and other trading venues. Internationally, it runs exchanges and clearing operations across Europe and provides technology to market operators worldwide.

Revenue is driven by trading volumes, listings activity, market data subscriptions, index licensing, software sales, and corporate services. Performance is influenced by capital markets activity, IPO trends, regulatory developments, and demand for financial technology solutions.

Nasdaq shares trade on the Nasdaq Stock Market under the ticker NDAQ.

History and Development

Nasdaq was launched as the first fully electronic stock quotation system, transforming how securities were traded by replacing manual processes with digital execution.

Over time, Nasdaq expanded from a quotation system into a full exchange operator, attracting many technology and growth-oriented companies to list on its platform.

The company went public in the early 2000s and later expanded internationally through acquisitions, including the merger with OMX, which strengthened its presence in Nordic and Baltic markets.

In recent years, Nasdaq has diversified beyond exchange operations into financial software, data analytics, and market surveillance technologies. The company has invested in automation, artificial intelligence, and cybersecurity to enhance market infrastructure.

Today, Nasdaq operates as a global financial infrastructure provider, combining exchange operations with technology and data services to support capital markets worldwide.