8 February 1971: Nasdaq begins trading
On this day in 1971, America’s “National Association of Securities Dealers Automated Quotations” – or Nasdaq exchange – began trading.
The New York Stock Exchange has been around for a long time it was officially formed in 1792, and is home to many of the world's biggest and most successful companies. For a long time, it was the Big Daddy of American indeed, world stock exchanges. But at the beginning of the 1970s, it found itself with an upstart competitor.
America's National Association of Securities Dealers was a body set up to regulate the OTC market (over the counter' securities which were not traded on traditional stock exchanges).
To enable investors to trade more efficiently, it set up its own speedy and transparent trading system the National Association of Securities Dealers Automated Quotations, or Nasdaq. It began trading on this day in 1971, providing trading for over 2,500 securities. It was a very different beast to the venerable old stock exchanges of yore. It didn't have a big building full of men in silly coats shouting at each other. This was the future this was an electronic exchange.
Subscribe to MoneyWeek
Subscribe to MoneyWeek today and get your first six magazine issues absolutely FREE
Sign up to Money Morning
Don't miss the latest investment and personal finances news, market analysis, plus money-saving tips with our free twice-daily newsletter
Don't miss the latest investment and personal finances news, market analysis, plus money-saving tips with our free twice-daily newsletter
It expanded rapidly, and soon gained a reputation where tech stocks would list. And while it is very tech heavy, it counts car hire firms, airlines, banks and food companies among its listings.
It trades around two billion shares a day more than any other exchange. Since the millennium it has overseen over a thousand stockmarket flotations. It is the second-largest exchange in the world by market capitalisation.
Its flagship index, the Nasdaq Composite, began life at 100 in 1971, shot up to over 5,000 before the spectacular dotcom crash of 2000, when it lost some 78% of its value. The enthusiasm of investors for big tech, or "FAANG" stocks, especially since the beginning of the Covi pandemic, has propelled it to ever higher highs. It currently stands at over 13,000.
Sign up to Money Morning
Our team, led by award winning editors, is dedicated to delivering you the top news, analysis, and guides to help you manage your money, grow your investments and build wealth.
Ben studied modern languages at London University's Queen Mary College. After dabbling unhappily in local government finance for a while, he went to work for The Scotsman newspaper in Edinburgh. The launch of the paper's website, scotsman.com, in the early years of the dotcom craze, saw Ben move online to manage the Business and Motors channels before becoming deputy editor with responsibility for all aspects of online production for The Scotsman, Scotland on Sunday and the Edinburgh Evening News websites, along with the papers' Edinburgh Festivals website.
Ben joined MoneyWeek as website editor in 2008, just as the Great Financial Crisis was brewing. He has written extensively for the website and magazine, with a particular emphasis on alternative finance and fintech, including blockchain and bitcoin.
As an early adopter of bitcoin, Ben bought when the price was under $200, but went on to spend it all on foolish fripperies.
-
Best funds to add to your ISA or SIPP before the Budget
With Labour expected to increase taxes, ISAs and SIPPs could be a great way to protect yourself from any CGT hikes. We look at the best funds to buy now
By Katie Williams Published
-
Starling Bank slapped with £29 million fine over ‘shockingly lax’ financial crime controls
The Financial Conduct Authority has fined Starling Bank £29 million over failings related to financial crime and its financial sanctions screenings
By Kalpana Fitzpatrick Published