Nasdaq in brief
- Rank: #27 of 100 in America's Most Powerful 100 Brands 2026; #4 of 14 in Banking & Financial Services.
- WCRC Power Score: 74.79 out of 100.
- Founded: 1971, by National Association of Securities Dealers.
- Owner: Nasdaq, Inc., New York, New York.
- Leadership: Adena Friedman, Chair and CEO.
- Latest revenue: $8.2bn revenue (FY2025, +11.1%), as per company filings.
What makes Nasdaq powerful
Nasdaq is where many of the biggest technology companies choose to list, and that link gives its brand a reputation for innovation. In the third quarter of 2026 its win rate for new operating company listings was 79%, and it listed eight of the 10 largest operating company IPOs. Year to date, companies listing on Nasdaq raised $144 billion, 89% of all proceeds.
Nasdaq is now as much a technology company as an exchange. Its solutions businesses brought in $1.2 billion of revenue in the third quarter, and annual recurring revenue reached a record $3.4 billion. Its index business drew net inflows of $49 billion in the quarter, and assets in exchange-traded products tracking its indexes hit a record $1.16 trillion. That mix of listings, data, software and indexes means the Nasdaq name shows up in boardrooms, trading floors and retirement accounts alike.
Nasdaq listed eight of the 10 largest operating company IPOs in the third quarter of 2026.
Why Nasdaq ranks #27
Nasdaq ranks #27 with a WCRC Power Score of 74.79, just behind Salesforce and John Deere and just ahead of J.P. Morgan and Walmart. Its brand stands for technology and new companies, which supports strong positioning and recall, and its software and data revenue adds digital and financial strength. It trails the brands above it on direct product use. It edges J.P. Morgan and Walmart on innovation image, though the gaps are tiny.
The Achilles' heel
Nasdaq depends on market activity and faces new rivals for listings. When IPOs and trading slow, a large part of its income slows too. Competition is growing: the Texas Stock Exchange opened for trading in July 2026, and the New York Stock Exchange is pursuing tokenized stock trading of its own. Nasdaq must keep winning listings on service, technology and price.
The 2026 story
Nasdaq spent 2026 preparing for markets that never close. In March the SEC approved its plan to allow trading of tokenized securities. On Oct. 22 it reported third-quarter net revenue up 13% and record ARR of $3.4 billion. It said it remains on track to launch trading 23 hours a day, five days a week on Dec. 6, 2026. Early in the fourth quarter it closed its purchase of LeveL Markets, the third-largest US alternative trading system by volume.
Pillar profile
Nasdaq's full 50-parameter profile is published on its World's Most Powerful 100 Brands 2026 page.
Versus its nearest rivals
Questions people ask
What rank is Nasdaq in WCRC's America's Most Powerful Brands 2026?
Nasdaq ranks #27 of 100 in WCRC's America's Most Powerful 100 Brands 2026, with a WCRC Power Score of 74.79 out of 100.
What makes Nasdaq powerful?
Nasdaq is the listing home of the world's biggest technology companies, and its brand stands for innovation.
What is Nasdaq's revenue?
$8.2bn revenue (FY2025, +11.1%), as per company filings.
Who founded and owns Nasdaq?
Nasdaq was founded in 1971 by National Association of Securities Dealers. It is owned by Nasdaq, Inc. and based in New York, New York.
Who leads Nasdaq?
Adena Friedman, Chair and CEO.
What is Nasdaq's biggest challenge?
Competition for listings and dependence on market activity.
Also featured in
- Most powerful Banking & Financial Services brands
- America's 50 Most Valuable Brands
- American Global Powerhouses
- Most powerful brands in New York
Key facts
| Brand | Nasdaq |
|---|---|
| Company / owner | Nasdaq, Inc. |
| Headquarters | New York, New York, United States |
| Founded | 1971 |
| Founder(s) | National Association of Securities Dealers |
| Leadership | Adena Friedman, Chair and CEO |
| Latest revenue | $8.2bn revenue (FY2025, +11.1%), as per company filings |
| Sector | Banking & Financial Services |
| Website | nasdaq.com |
| Country of origin | United States |
Sources
- Annual report (Form 10-K) and financial results of Nasdaq, Inc. filed with the US Securities and Exchange Commission
- Company website, official announcements and press releases
- Published interviews and statements by the leadership
- WCRC Business Intelligence Unit research: consumer sentiment, ratings and reviews, search demand, media and social data
