The NASDAQ is the 2nd largest stock exchange by market cap in the world. Founded in 1971, the American stock excahnge has over 3,500 listed companies with a $10 trillion market cap. It's such an exclusive club that the NASDAQ won't let just any company join its index.
THe NASDAQ has four sets of listing requirements along with a set of rules for all companies. To be listed on the exchange, the company must adhere to the following:
- $2,000,000 minimum shareholder equity
- At least 100,000 shares of public float
- At least 1 million unrestricted publcily held shares with 300 shareholders
- At least 3 market makers for the stock
- $3 minimum bid price