Nasdaq stands for National Association of Securities Dealers Automated Quotations, is the second largest electronic stock exchange in the world after the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE).

Founded in 1971, Nasdaq was the first exchange to operate electronically, allowing stock trading over a computer network without a physical trading floor as seen at the NYSE.

As a technology-first exchange, Nasdaq is home to major technology companies such as Apple, Microsoft, Amazon, and Google. This makes it a key barometer for the technology sector and is often used as an indicator of the health of the global technology market.