NASDAQ stands for National Association of Securities Dealers Automated Quotations is an US stock exchange. It is owned and operated by The Nasdaq Stock Market, Inc after disinvested by its founder 'National Association of Securities Dealers' (NASD). NASDAQ was listed on its own stock exchange in 2002.

NASDAQ does not have a physical trading floor that brings together buyers and sellers. All trading on the Nasdaq exchange is conducted over a network of computers and telephones.

NASDAQ began in 1971 as the world's first electronic stock exchange. Orders for stock are sent out electronically on the Nasdaq, where market makers list their buy and sell prices. Once a price is agreed upon, the transaction is executed electronically.

NASDAQ is the primary market for trading NASDAQ-listed stocks.

NASDAQ allows multiple market participants to trade through its electronic communications networks (ECNs) structure, increasing competition . The Small Order Execution System (SOES) is another NASDAQ feature, introduced in 1984, to ensure that in 'turbulent' market conditions small market orders are not forgotten but are automatically processed.

The NASDAQ Composite Index measures all NASDAQ domestic and international based common type stocks listed on The NASDAQ Stock Market. Today the NASDAQ Composite includes over 3,000 companies, more than most other stock market indices. Because it is so broad-based, the Composite is one of the most widely followed and quoted major market indices. On February 5, 1971, the NASDAQ Composite Index began with a base of 100.00.

The NASDAQ-100 Index includes 100 of the largest domestic and international non-financial companies listed on The NASDAQ Stock Market based on market capitalization. The Index reflects companies across major industry groups including computer hardware and software, telecommunications, retail/wholesale trade and biotechnology. It does not contain financial companies including investment companies.