NASDAQ has the world’s highest listing standards. NASDAQ’s Global Select MarketSM has financial and corporate governance listing standards that are more stringent than any exchange in the world, including the NYSE. Over 1,000 NASDAQ-listed companies qualify under these standards to create a prestigious, world-class, top-tier marketplace. NASDAQ itself adheres to these most stringent standards setting an example of best-in-class governance.

On June 30, 2006 — the date of the annual reconstitution of the Russell Investment Group’s 21 U.S. stock indexes — over 690 million shares were executed through the NASDAQ Closing Cross for 2,202 Russell Index stocks, equating to $10.5 billion in dollar volume for the day. In addition, NASDAQ reported over 3.5 billion shares traded throughout the day — its largest trading day ever.

NASDAQ listed 138 IPOs, including 20 international listings in 2006. This represents 69% of all IPOs on all U.S. markets and $12.3 billion in IPO capital raised in 2006.SEC required data, reported by all market centers shows that NASDAQ performs better for investors. SEC Rule 605 (formerly known as Rule 11Ac1-5 or “Dash 5”) data shows that NASDAQ stocks trade at faster speeds, with tighter spreads and greater certainty of execution.

NASDAQ is the stock exchange for industry leaders, recognized around the globe as the largest and most renowned U.S. market. NASDAQ has more listed companies (approximately 3,200), trades more volume (approximately 2 billion shares daily) and handles more IPOs (over 500 since 2000) than any other U.S. exchange. In a recent update of a multi-year study of investors, NASDAQ was the most widely-recognized stock market, with greater brand recognition than any other U.S. exchange.

NASDAQ offers exemplary regulation, employing sophisticated surveillance systems and regulatory specialists to protect investors and provide a fair and competitive trading environment.