Nasdaq Stock Market - statistics & facts
The Nasdaq Stock Market is synonymous with innovation, technology, and growth. As one of the world’s largest and most dynamic stock exchanges, it has earned a reputation for being the home of some of the biggest tech giants, including Apple, Microsoft, Amazon, and Tesla. Opened in 1971 and headquartered in New York, the Nasdaq Stock Market, or simply Nasdaq, was the first electronic stock exchange worldwide. With approximately 3,600 listed companies, the Nasdaq is the largest stock exchange in the United States and third worldwide after the Japan Exchange Group, and the TMX in Canada. In terms of market capitalization, the Nasdaq is also among the world's largest stock exchange, being second only to the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE). The size of these two stock exchanges make the U.S. the country with the largest equity market worldwide, accounting for approximately 60 percent of the global market.
Focus on technology and innovation
The popularity of the Nasdaq was initially due to its focus on technology for the real-time exchange of shares of listed companies and stock market information. In the following years, and especially after the internet revolution, this focus on innovation proved to be extremely beneficial, as it allowed the Nasdaq to attract most companies in the information technology (IT) sector, making it the leading stock exchange for tech companies and the preferred destination for foreign companies looking to go public in the United States. Despite the large volume of companies listed on the Nasdaq, a handful of these account for the majority of the total market capitalization of the exchange. In fact, some of the largest companies worldwide in terms of market capitalization are listed on the Nasdaq: The most valuable are notably Microsoft, Apple, Alphabet, and Nvidia. These companies have reshaped entire industries and driven global market trends, making Nasdaq a key hub for investors seeking exposure to cutting-edge sectors like artificial intelligence, cloud computing, and biotechnology.
Nasdaq indices
Due to the great amount of companies listed on the stock market, tracking the performance of these companies would be a huge challenge. For this reason, among others, a large number of stock market indices have been developed over the years. The main stock market indices usually include companies listed on different stock exchanges, like the S&P 500 or the Dow Jones Industrial Average. On the other hand, many indices focus on a single exchange. The Nasdaq Stock Market counts several indices, caregorizing companies either by sector, size, or domicile. Among the main Nasdaq indices, the Nasdaq Composite, which tracks nearly all stocks traded on the exchange, is one of the most followed in the United States. Another important index to follow the development of the Nasdaq is the Nasdaq 100 Index, which includes the largest domestic and international non-financial companies listed on the exchange.
As technology and digital transformation continue to reshape industries, the Nasdaq Stock Market is poised to remain at the forefront of global finance, offering unparalleled access to the next wave of high-growth opportunities.
Focus on technology and innovation
The popularity of the Nasdaq was initially due to its focus on technology for the real-time exchange of shares of listed companies and stock market information. In the following years, and especially after the internet revolution, this focus on innovation proved to be extremely beneficial, as it allowed the Nasdaq to attract most companies in the information technology (IT) sector, making it the leading stock exchange for tech companies and the preferred destination for foreign companies looking to go public in the United States. Despite the large volume of companies listed on the Nasdaq, a handful of these account for the majority of the total market capitalization of the exchange. In fact, some of the largest companies worldwide in terms of market capitalization are listed on the Nasdaq: The most valuable are notably Microsoft, Apple, Alphabet, and Nvidia. These companies have reshaped entire industries and driven global market trends, making Nasdaq a key hub for investors seeking exposure to cutting-edge sectors like artificial intelligence, cloud computing, and biotechnology.
Nasdaq indices
Due to the great amount of companies listed on the stock market, tracking the performance of these companies would be a huge challenge. For this reason, among others, a large number of stock market indices have been developed over the years. The main stock market indices usually include companies listed on different stock exchanges, like the S&P 500 or the Dow Jones Industrial Average. On the other hand, many indices focus on a single exchange. The Nasdaq Stock Market counts several indices, caregorizing companies either by sector, size, or domicile. Among the main Nasdaq indices, the Nasdaq Composite, which tracks nearly all stocks traded on the exchange, is one of the most followed in the United States. Another important index to follow the development of the Nasdaq is the Nasdaq 100 Index, which includes the largest domestic and international non-financial companies listed on the exchange.
As technology and digital transformation continue to reshape industries, the Nasdaq Stock Market is poised to remain at the forefront of global finance, offering unparalleled access to the next wave of high-growth opportunities.
