NASDAQ
National Association of Securities Dealers Automated Quotations
A major electronic stock exchange known for technology companies and electronic trading.
NASDAQ was founded in 1971 as the world's first electronic stock market, revolutionizing securities trading through computer networks rather than physical trading floors. The exchange operates multiple markets including NASDAQ Global Select Market, NASDAQ Global Market, and NASDAQ Capital Market, each with different listing requirements. NASDAQ is particularly known for hosting technology companies like Apple, Microsoft, Amazon, and Google. The exchange uses a dealer-based market structure with market makers providing liquidity. NASDAQ has expanded globally and operates markets in multiple countries, offering trading in equities, options, futures, and other securities. The exchange is also a major technology provider, licensing its trading technology to other exchanges worldwide.
Example
Tech giants: Apple (AAPL), Microsoft (MSFT), Amazon (AMZN), Alphabet (GOOGL)