NASDAQ is a major U.S. stock exchange and global technology company providing electronic trading platforms, market data, and financial technology solutions. Originally founded in 1971 as the world’s first electronic stock market, NASDAQ is known for listing technology companies including Apple, Microsoft, and Google. The exchange operates multiple market tiers with different listing requirements.

NASDAQ’s electronic trading system revolutionized securities trading by eliminating physical trading floors and enabling faster, more efficient transactions. The exchange operates various indices including the NASDAQ Composite and NASDAQ-100, which serve as benchmarks for technology sector performance. NASDAQ also provides trading technology and market infrastructure services to other exchanges globally.

Real-world example: Tesla’s inclusion in the NASDAQ-100 index triggers automatic purchases by index funds tracking the benchmark, creating significant buying pressure and supporting the stock price during the rebalancing period.