Legal Definitions - National Association of Securities Dealers Automated Quotations (NASDAQ)

The National Association of Securities Dealers Automated Quotations (NASDAQ) is an online marketplace where people can buy and sell stocks. It is an index of around 5,000 stocks, mostly from big technology and biotech companies. Some of the biggest companies on NASDAQ are Apple, Microsoft, Alphabet (parent of Google), Amazon, and Intel. Companies want to be listed on NASDAQ because it helps them get more money and makes it easier for people to buy and sell their stock.

Only companies that are public can be listed on NASDAQ. This means that they have to do an Initial Public Offering and follow rules from the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). NASDAQ also has its own rules for companies that want to be listed. These rules include things like having enough money and making sure that people can easily buy and sell their stock. You can find a list of NASDAQ's rules here.

For example, Apple is listed on NASDAQ. This means that people can buy and sell Apple stock on the NASDAQ website. Apple is a big company, so it has a lot of money and a lot of people who want to buy its stock. Being listed on NASDAQ helps Apple get even more money and makes it easier for people to buy and sell its stock.