History of Nasdaq in Timeline

The Nasdaq Stock Market, based in New York City, is a leading U.S. stock exchange known for its high trading volume and focus on technology stocks. While it includes companies from diverse sectors, technology firms dominate the listings. It is owned by Nasdaq, Inc., which manages other exchanges globally. The Nasdaq is second globally in terms of market capitalization, behind only the NYSE, and includes both American and international companies, especially from China and Israel.

February 8, 1971: NASDAQ Stock Market Begins Operations

On February 8, 1971, the NASDAQ stock market began operations as the world's first electronic stock market, initially functioning as a quotation system without electronic trading capabilities.

1971: Founding of NASDAQ

In 1971 Nasdaq was founded. It is a much younger organization than the NYSE.

1981: NASDAQ Traded 37% of U.S. Securities

In 1981, NASDAQ traded 37% of the U.S. securities markets' total of 21 billion shares, marking a significant portion of the market.

1985: Introduction of NASDAQ Financial-100 Index

In 1985, the NASDAQ Financial-100 Index was introduced alongside the NASDAQ-100 index, tracking the largest 100 companies in terms of market capitalization.

1991: NASDAQ's Market Share Grows to 46%

By 1991, NASDAQ's share of the U.S. securities market had grown to 46%, indicating increased market dominance.

1992: NASDAQ Joins London Stock Exchange

In 1992, the NASDAQ Stock Market joined with the London Stock Exchange to form the first intercontinental linkage of capital markets, establishing a global connection.

1996: SEC Alleges Price Fixing by NASDAQ Market Makers

In 1996, the SEC issued a report alleging that NASDAQ market makers fixed prices to artificially widen spreads, leading to new regulations for order handling.

1998: NASDAQ Trades Online

In 1998, NASDAQ became the first stock market in the United States to trade online, positioning itself as "the stock market for the next hundred years."

March 10, 2000: NASDAQ Composite Index Peaks

On March 10, 2000, the NASDAQ Composite stock market index peaked at 5,132.52, before experiencing a significant decline.

2001: NASDAQ Purchases EASDAQ

In 2001, NASDAQ purchased the European Association of Securities Dealers Automatic Quotation System (EASDAQ), rebranding it as NASDAQ Europe.

July 2, 2002: NASDAQ Stock Market, Inc. Becomes a Public Company

On July 2, 2002, NASDAQ Stock Market, Inc. became a public company through an initial public offering.

2003: NASDAQ Europe Operations Shut Down

In 2003, NASDAQ Europe shut down operations following the burst of the dot-com bubble.

December 2005: NASDAQ Acquires Instinet

In December 2005, NASDAQ acquired Instinet for $1.9 billion, retaining the Inet ECN and subsequently selling the agency brokerage business.

2006: NASDAQ Becomes a National Securities Exchange

In 2006, the status of the NASDAQ Stock Market was changed from a stock market to a licensed national securities exchange.

2007: NASDAQ Europe Revived as Equiduct

In 2007, NASDAQ Europe was revived first as Equiduct and was acquired by Börse Berlin later that year.

2007: NASDAQ Merges with OMX

In 2007, NASDAQ merged with OMX, a leading exchange operator in the Nordic countries, expanding its global footprint and changing its name to the NASDAQ OMX Group.

February 2011: Speculation of NASDAQ OMX and ICE Counter-Bid for NYSE

In February 2011, speculation arose that NASDAQ OMX and Intercontinental Exchange (ICE) might launch a counter-bid for NYSE Euronext, following its announced merger with Deutsche Börse.

June 18, 2012: NASDAQ OMX Joins UN Sustainable Stock Exchanges Initiative

On June 18, 2012, NASDAQ OMX became a founding member of the United Nations Sustainable Stock Exchanges Initiative.

November 2016: Adena Friedman Appointed CEO of NASDAQ

In November 2016, Adena Friedman was promoted to chief executive officer of NASDAQ, becoming the first woman to run a major exchange in the U.S.

2016: Nasdaq Earned $272 Million in Listings-Related Revenues

In 2016, Nasdaq earned $272 million in listings-related revenues.

October 2018: SEC Rules Against Price Increases for Market Data

In October 2018, the SEC ruled that the New York Stock Exchange and Nasdaq did not justify the continued price increases when selling market data.

December 2020: NASDAQ to Strip Indexes of Chinese Companies

In December 2020, NASDAQ announced that it would strip its indexes of four Chinese companies in response to Executive Order 13959.

2021: Nasdaq's Market Capitalization in 2021

As of 2021, Nasdaq is the second largest stock exchange in the United States with a market capitalization of $19 trillion, which is about $5.5 trillion less than the NYSE.