The NASDAQ

Trading is executed through NASDAQ's sophisticated computer and telecommunications network. It transmits real-time quote and trade data to more than 1.3 million users in 83 countries. NASDAQ's "open architecture" market structure allows a virtually unlimited number of participants to trade in a company's stock and has no geographical boundaries.

NASDAQ , considered being an OTC market today lists the securities of nearly 4,100 of the world's leading companies. Each year it continues to help hundreds of companies successfully making the transition to public ownership.

Trading on NASDAQ is not restricted to any fixed number of participants. This characteristic allows a large number of firms with broadly different business models and trading technologies to connect to the NASDAQ network and compete on an equal footing. NASDAQ links up a variety of competitors and gives a choice to the participants to choose from different players with whom they are going to trade instead of forcing investors to go through a single financial firm to buy or sell stocks . The mandatory condition for all firms to trade with NASDAQ stocks is that they must be certified with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and also be registered with NASDAQ and NASD Regulation®.

The NASDAQ Stock Market comprises of The NASDAQ National Market and The NASDAQ Small Cap Market. Each has its own set of financial requirements that a company must meet to list its securities and each has its own set of entry and annual listing fees for continued listing. The NASDAQ futures are considered a good indicator of technology stocks.

Through its unique framework of multiple market participants, NASDAQ provides listed companies' securities with ready access to investors, visibility in the marketplace, and market conditions that promote immediate and continuous trading.

Facts and Figures