QuickLinks -- Click here to rapidly navigate through this document

As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on July 10, 2003.

Registration No. 333-            



SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549


FORM S-8
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
UNDER
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933


The Nasdaq Stock Market, Inc.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
      51-1165937
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)

One Liberty Plaza
New York, NY 10006
(212) 858-5216
(Address of principal executive offices, including zip code)

EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT WITH ROBERT GREIFELD
(Full title of the plan)


Edward S. Knight, Esq.
The Nasdaq Stock Market, Inc.
One Liberty Plaza
New York, NY 10006
(212) 858-5216
(Name, address and telephone number of agent for service)

CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE


Title of securities
to be registered

  Amount to be
registered (1)

  Proposed maximum
offering price
per share

  Proposed maximum
aggregate
offering price

  Amount of registration
fee


Common Stock, par value $.01 per share   1,000,000(2)   $5.28(3)   $5,280,000.00   $428.00

       100,000(4)   $8.13(5)   $813,000.00   $66.00

Total   1,100,000           $494.00

(1)
This registration statement on Form S-8 (this "Registration Statement") registers 1,100,000 shares of common stock, par value $0.01 per share (the "Common Stock"), of The Nasdaq Stock Market, Inc. (the "Registrant" or "Nasdaq") issuable pursuant to an Employment Agreement between the Registrant and Robert Greifeld, effective as of May 12, 2003 (the "Employment Agreement"). The Employment Agreement provides for certain equity awards, including the grant of an option to purchase 1,000,000 shares of Common Stock (the "Option") and the grant of 100,000 shares of restricted Common Stock (the "Restricted Stock"). In addition, this Registration Statement shall also cover any additional shares of Common Stock which become issuable under the Employment Agreement with respect to the Option or the Restricted Stock by reason of any stock dividend, stock split, recapitalization or any other similar transaction effected without the receipt of consideration which results in an increase in the number of the Registrant's outstanding shares of Common Stock.

(2)
Represents 1,000,000 shares of Common Stock subject to the Option.

(3)
Calculated in accordance with Rule 457(h) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), solely for the purpose of determining the registration fee. Calculation is based on the exercise price of the Option.

(4)
Represents 100,000 shares of Common Stock subject to the grant of Restricted Stock.

(5)
Pursuant to Rules 457(c) and 457(h) under the Securities Act, the Proposed Maximum Offering Price Per Share and the Proposed Maximum Offering Price for the 100,000 shares of Common Stock subject to the grant of Restricted Stock are estimated based on the average of the high and low prices of the Common Stock on the OTC Bulletin Board on July 7, 2003. Such estimate is being utilized solely for the purpose of calculating the registration fee.





Explanatory Note

        Nasdaq has prepared this Registration Statement in accordance with the requirements of Form S-8 under the Securities Act to register shares of its Common Stock (the "Shares"), issued or issuable to Robert Greifeld (the "Selling Securityholder"), the president and chief executive officer and a director of Nasdaq, pursuant to the terms of the Employment Agreement.

        This Registration Statement contains two parts. The first part contains a prospectus prepared in accordance with Part I of Form S-8 (in accordance with Instruction C of the General Instructions to Form S-8) which covers reoffers and resales of shares of the Shares issued pursuant to the Employment Agreement. The second part contains information required in the Registration Statement pursuant to Part II of Form S-8. Information required by Part I of Form S-8 is omitted from this Registration Statement in accordance with Rule 428 under the Securities Act and the "Note" to Part I of Form S-8.




Reoffer Prospectus

1,100,000 Shares of Common Stock of
The Nasdaq Stock Market, Inc.

        The shares of common stock, $0.01 par value per share (the "Shares"), of The Nasdaq Stock Market, Inc. ("Nasdaq") covered by this reoffer prospectus, may be offered and sold to the public by Robert Greifeld (the "Selling Securityholder"), the president and chief executive officer and a director of Nasdaq. The Selling Securityholder has acquired and may acquire the Shares through a grant of 100,000 shares of restricted common stock and upon exercise of a grant of 1,000,000 shares of common stock pursuant to the terms of his employment agreement with Nasdaq, effective as of May 12, 2003 (the "Employment Agreement").

        The Selling Securityholder may sell his Shares directly or indirectly in one or more transactions on any stock exchange or stock market on which the Shares may be listed at the time of sale, in privately negotiated transactions, or through a combination of such methods. These sales may be at fixed prices (which may be changed), at market prices prevailing at the time of sale, at prices related to such prevailing market prices or at negotiated prices.

        The Shares are "restricted securities" under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act") before their sale under this reoffer prospectus. This reoffer prospectus has been prepared for the purpose of registering the Shares under the Securities Act to allow for future sales by the Selling Securityholder to the public, subject to certain contractual restrictions on the ability of the Selling Securityholder to sell any or all of his Shares. The Selling Securityholder may sell Shares through one or more agents, brokers or dealers or directly to purchasers. Such brokers or dealers may receive compensation in the form of commissions, discounts or concessions from the Selling Securityholder and/or purchasers of the Shares, or both (which compensation as to a particular broker or dealer may be in excess of customary commissions). In connection with such sales, the Selling Securityholder and any participating broker or dealer may be deemed to be "underwriters" within the meaning of the Securities Act, and any commissions they receive and the proceeds of any sale of Shares may be deemed to be underwriting discounts and commissions under the Securities Act. Nasdaq will not receive any proceeds from the sale of the shares by the Selling Securityholder.


        This investment involves a high degree of risk. Please see "Risk Factors" beginning on page 5.


        Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or determined whether this reoffer prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.


The date of this reoffer prospectus is July 10, 2003



Table of Contents

 
  Page
Additional Information   2
Incorporation of Certain Documents by Reference   2
The Company   3
Risk Factors   5
Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements   12
Use of Proceeds   12
Selling Securityholder   12
Plan of Distribution   13
Legal Matters   14
Experts   14

        You should rely only on the information contained in this reoffer prospectus or any supplement. Nasdaq has not authorized anyone to provide you with information different from that which is contained in or incorporated by reference to this reoffer prospectus. Nasdaq is offering to sell shares of common stock and seeking offers to buy shares of common stock only in jurisdictions where offers and sales are permitted. The information contained in this reoffer prospectus is accurate only as of the date of this reoffer prospectus, regardless of the time of delivery of this reoffer prospectus or of any sale of the Shares.


Additional Information

        The Company has filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") a registration statement on Form S-8 under the Securities Act with respect to the Shares offered hereby. This reoffer prospectus does not contain all of the information set forth in the registration statement and the exhibits thereto. For further information with respect to Nasdaq and the Shares offered hereby, reference is made to the registration statement and the exhibits thereto. Statements contained in this reoffer prospectus regarding the contents of any contract or any other document to which reference is made are not necessarily complete, and, in each instance where a copy of such contract or other document has been filed as an exhibit to the registration statement, reference is made to the copy so filed, each statement is qualified in all respects by such reference.

        Nasdaq is subject to the informational requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), and, in accordance therewith, files reports and other information with the SEC. The registration statement, including exhibits, and the reports and other information filed by Nasdaq can be inspected without charge at the public reference facilities maintained by the SEC at the SEC's principal office at 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Room 1024, Washington, D.C., 20549. Copies of such material can be obtained from such offices at fees prescribed by the SEC. The public may obtain information on the operation of the Public Reference room by calling the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330. The SEC maintains a World Wide Web site that contains reports, proxy and information statements and other information regarding registrants that file electronically with the SEC. The address of this site is http://www.sec.gov. In addition, Nasdaq makes copies of its electronic filings with the SEC available on the investor relations portion of its web site at www.nasdaq.com.


Incorporation of Certain Documents by Reference

        The following documents filed with the SEC are incorporated by reference herein as of their respective dates:

2


        All documents filed by Nasdaq pursuant to Section 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act prior to and subsequent to the date hereof and prior to the termination of the offering shall be deemed to be incorporated by reference into this registration statement and to be a part hereof from the date of filing of such documents. Any statement contained in a document incorporated or deemed to be incorporated herein by reference shall be deemed to be modified or superseded for purposes of this reoffer prospectus to the extent that a statement contained herein or in any other subsequently filed document which also is or is deemed to be incorporated by reference herein modifies or supersedes such statement.

        Nasdaq will provide without charge to any person to whom this reoffer prospectus is delivered, upon written or oral request of such person, a copy of each document incorporated by reference in the registration statement (other than exhibits to such documents unless such exhibits are specifically incorporated by reference into this reoffer prospectus). Requests should be directed to Office of Investor Relations at The Nasdaq Stock Market, Inc., One Liberty Plaza, New York, New York 10006. Nasdaq's telephone number is (212) 858-5216.


The Company

        Nasdaq operates The Nasdaq Stock Market®, one of the world's largest electronic screen-based equity securities market and one of the world's largest equity securities market based on share volume. Since its inception in 1971, Nasdaq has been a leader in utilizing technology to enhance the securities markets. The Nasdaq Stock Market consists of two tiers of listed companies: The Nasdaq National Market and The Nasdaq SmallCap Market.

        Nasdaq provides products and services in three principal categories: (i) Transaction Services, (iii) Market Information Services and (iii) Corporate Client Group. Transaction Services include the collection, processing and dissemination of price quotes of Nasdaq-listed securities and transaction reporting services. Market Information Services provide varying levels of quote and trade information to data vendors, who in turn sell the information to the public. Corporate Client Group provides customer services and information products to Nasdaq-listed companies and is responsible for obtaining new listings on The Nasdaq Stock Market.

        Prior to June 2000, Nasdaq was a wholly-owned subsidiary of the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. (the "NASD"). In 2000, the NASD implemented a separation of Nasdaq from the NASD by restructuring and broadening the ownership in Nasdaq through a two-phase private placement of securities. Securities in the private placements were offered to all NASD members, certain issuers listed on Nasdaq and certain institutional investment companies. In addition, Nasdaq has repurchased additional shares of common stock owned by the NASD (the various transactions in the separation are collectively referred to as the "Restructuring"). As a result of the Restructuring, there were 78,340,266 shares of common stock outstanding as of April 30, 2003, including 43,225,976 shares

3



of common stock underlying warrants issued by the NASD in the Restructuring (the "Warrants"). As of April 30, 2003, the NASD owned approximately 55% of the common stock, all of which underlay the Warrants. The NASD is required to retain voting control over Nasdaq until such time as Nasdaq is approved by the SEC as a national securities exchange ("Exchange Registration"). Nasdaq's application for Exchange Registration is pending with the SEC.

        Nasdaq's principal executive offices are located at One Liberty Plaza, New York, New York 10006, and our telephone number is (212) 858-5216.

4




Risk Factors

        This reoffer prospectus contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Nasdaq's actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a result of certain factors, including the risks faced by Nasdaq described below. See also "Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements."

        The risks and uncertainties described below are not the only ones facing Nasdaq. Additional risks and uncertainties not presently known to Nasdaq or that Nasdaq currently believes to be immaterial may also adversely affect Nasdaq's business. If any of the following risks actually occur, Nasdaq's business, financial condition, or operating results could be materially adversely affected.

Nasdaq's operating results could fluctuate significantly in the future.

        Nasdaq's operating results may fluctuate significantly in the future as a result of a variety of factors, including: (i) a decrease in the trading volume in The Nasdaq Stock Market; (ii) increased competition from regional exchanges, electronic communication networks ("ECNs"), the NASD's Alternative Display Facility ("ADF") or other alternative trading systems that might reduce market share and create pricing pressure; (iii) competition from the New York Stock Exchange ("NYSE") or new competing exchanges for new listings; (iv) a reduction in market information revenue; (v) the rate at which The Nasdaq Stock Market obtains new listings and maintains its current listings; (vi) regulatory changes and compliance costs; (vii) Nasdaq's ability to utilize its capital effectively; (viii) Nasdaq's ability to manage personnel, overhead, and other expenses, in particular technology expenses; and (ix) general market and economic conditions.

Nasdaq's business could be harmed by market fluctuations and other risks associated with the securities industry generally.

        A substantial portion of Nasdaq's revenue is tied to the trading volume of its listed securities. Trading volume is directly affected by economic and political conditions, broad trends in business and finance, and changes in price levels of securities. A continuation of the weak economic conditions of the past several years or a worsening of the economy or the securities markets could result in a further decline in trading volume. Nasdaq is also particularly affected by declines in trading volume in technology-related securities because a significant portion of its customers trade in these types of securities and a large number of technology-related companies are listed on The Nasdaq Stock Market. A decline in trading volume would lower revenue from Transaction Services and Market Information Services, and Nasdaq's profitability may be adversely affected if it is unable to reduce costs at the same rate. A continuation of the current downturn in the initial public offering ("IPO") market is also likely to have an adverse effect on Nasdaq's revenue, including, in particular, revenue from listing fees. For example, in the year ended December 31, 2002, 51 IPOs were brought to market on The Nasdaq Stock Market compared to 63 in the year ended December 31, 2001. There also were 571 companies delisted during 2002.

Substantial listing competition could reduce Nasdaq's revenue.

        The Nasdaq Stock Market faces competition for listings from other primary exchanges, especially from the NYSE. In addition to competition for initial listings, The Nasdaq Stock Market also competes with the NYSE to maintain listings. In the past, a number of issuers listed on The Nasdaq Stock Market have left for the NYSE each year. The largest 50 Nasdaq-listed issuers (based on U.S. market value) accounted for approximately 50.9% of total dollar volume traded on The Nasdaq Stock Market for the year ended December 31, 2002. While the loss of one or more of these issuers would result in a decrease in revenue from Nasdaq's Corporate Client Group, such a loss would cause an even more significant reduction in revenue from Nasdaq's Transaction Services and Market Information Services.

5



The reduction in initial listings or the loss of a top issuer could have an adverse effect on Nasdaq's business, financial condition, or operating results.

Competition by regional exchanges and the ADF may reduce Nasdaq's transactions, trade reporting and market information revenue and impact the ability of SuperMontage to increase Nasdaq's market share of transactions in Nasdaq-listed securities.

        Nasdaq has invested approximately $107 million in the design and implementation of its new trading system, SuperMontagesm, which was fully implemented on December 2, 2002. SuperMontage is intended to attract more orders and quotes to The Nasdaq Stock Market by providing a more comprehensive system that will increase competition and market transparency. SuperMontage has been launched into a competitive environment. Any decision by market participants to quote through regional exchanges or the ADF, as discussed below, could have a negative impact on Nasdaq's share of quotes and trades in securities listed on The Nasdaq Stock Market and may adversely affect Nasdaq's business, financial condition, and operating results.

        Nasdaq is currently facing increased competition from regional exchanges for quoting and trade reporting business, which affects Transaction Services and Market Information Services revenue. An ECN, Island ECN, began reporting its trades to the Cincinnati Stock Exchange in February 2002, while another ECN, Archipelago, began quoting and reporting certain trades to the Archipelago Exchange, the equities arm of the Pacific Stock Exchange, in February 2003. Nasdaq has taken several steps in response, including discussions with UTP Plan exchanges about how they can continue to interact with SuperMontage (as the Chicago Stock Exchange does), adjusting our transactions pricing to be more competitive with ECNs that do not quote or report through Nasdaq, and working to make functionality of SuperMontage reflect the needs of ECNs that choose to remain in Nasdaq. These actions may not be sufficient to regain lost business or prevent other market participants from shifting some of their trade reporting to regional exchanges. Nasdaq may be required to take further action to remain competitive.

        As a condition for its approval of SuperMontage, the SEC required the NASD to provide NASD members with the ability to opt-out of SuperMontage by providing the ADF as an alternative quotation and trade reporting facility for NASD members. At least one ECN has been quoting through the ADF rather than through SuperMontage. The NASD recently reduced the fees it charges for the ADF. If additional market participants quote through the ADF, Nasdaq faces the risk of reduced market share in Transaction Services and Market Information Services revenue, which could adversely affect Nasdaq's business, financial condition and operating results.

Nasdaq's revenue would be adversely affected by ECNs that register as exchanges.

        The Pacific Stock Exchange has established the Archipelago Exchange as its equities trading facility. In addition, Island has applied to register as an exchange. Exchanges that are UTP Plan participants are entitled to a share of Tape Fees. A proliferation in the number of exchanges and UTP Plan participants could have an adverse impact on Nasdaq's Transaction Services and Market Information Services revenue if quoting, trading and trade reporting are fragmented across exchanges and marketplaces.

        In addition, new exchanges could adversely affect Nasdaq's revenue from listings. ECNs, unlike exchanges, historically have not provided listing venues. The Pacific Stock Exchange has announced that the Archipelago Exchange intends to begin competing for listings. If more ECNs become exchanges and are successful in attracting listings, there can be no assurances that Nasdaq will be able to maintain or increase its listing revenue. The reduction in initial listings or the loss of a top issuer could have an

6



adverse effect on Nasdaq's business, financial condition and operating results. See "—Substantial listing competition could reduce Nasdaq's revenue."

Substantial competition could reduce The Nasdaq Stock Market's market share and harm Nasdaq's financial performance.

        It is possible that a competing securities exchange, network provider, or technology company could develop ways to replicate Nasdaq's network more efficiently than Nasdaq and persuade a critical mass of market participants to switch to a new network.

        If there is an increase in the number of market makers or ECNs that determine they do enough order routing traffic to justify setting up a proprietary network for their traffic, Nasdaq may be forced to alter its pricing structure or risk losing its share of the order routing or execution business. In addition, certain system providers link many market makers in The Nasdaq Stock Market. These systems may be able to increase the number of orders executed through their systems versus the Nasdaq systems. A reduction in Nasdaq's order routing or execution business could have an adverse effect on Nasdaq's business, financial condition and operating results.

        The traditional products and services offered by markets are being unbundled. Historically, Nasdaq has provided listings, execution services information services, and regulatory services to the investing public. Currently, there are many competitors operating in the execution services market. Nasdaq has not historically implemented pricing strategies that isolate its various businesses. Due to competition in the execution services business, as well as Nasdaq's past practice of bundling products and services, it is uncertain whether Nasdaq will be able to compete successfully in this business. Furthermore, Nasdaq faces multiple pricing constraints, including in particular, regulatory constraints that may prevent it from competing effectively in certain markets.

Nasdaq is subject to extensive regulation that may harm its ability to compete with less regulated entities.

        Under current federal securities laws, changes in Nasdaq's rules and operations, including its pricing structure, must be approved by the SEC. The SEC may approve, disapprove, or recommend changes to proposals submitted by Nasdaq. In addition, the SEC may delay the initiation of the public comment process or the approval process. This delay in approving changes, or the altering of any proposed change, could have an adverse effect on Nasdaq's business, financial condition and operating results. Nasdaq not only must compete with ECNs that are not subject to the SEC approval process, but Nasdaq must also compete with other exchanges that are subject to lower regulation and surveillance costs than Nasdaq. This self-regulation cost that Nasdaq is required to undertake contributes to the high quality regulation of its market that Nasdaq desires. However, with the fragmentation of trading that has occurred through SEC encouragement, fragmentation of regulation has followed, and there is a significant risk that the effectiveness of the regulation services that Nasdaq pays the NASD to provide will diminish due to this fragmentation. Additionally, there is a risk that trading will shift to exchanges that spend significantly less on regulation services. Nasdaq has raised both concerns -regulatory fragmentation and regulatory arbitrage—to the SEC in an attempt to ensure that the SEC does not permit competition to harm regulation. However, there can be no assurance that the SEC will act favorably regarding Nasdaq's arguments.

System limitations or failures or security breaches could harm Nasdaq's business.

        Nasdaq's business depends on the integrity and performance of the computer and communications systems supporting it. If Nasdaq's systems cannot be expanded to cope with increased demand or otherwise fail to perform, Nasdaq could experience unanticipated disruptions in service, slower response times and delays in the introduction of new products and services. These consequences could result in lower trading volumes, financial losses, decreased customer service and satisfaction, litigation

7



or customer claims and regulatory sanctions. Nasdaq has experienced occasional systems failures and delays in the past and it could experience future systems failures and delays.

        Nasdaq uses internally developed systems to operate its business, including transaction processing systems to accommodate increased capacity. However, if The Nasdaq Stock Market's trading volume increases unexpectedly, Nasdaq will need to expand and upgrade its technology, transaction processing systems and network infrastructure. Nasdaq does not know whether it will be able to project accurately the rate, timing, or cost of any increases, or expand and upgrade its systems and infrastructure to accommodate any increases in a timely manner.

        Nasdaq's systems and operations also are vulnerable to damage or interruption from human error, natural disasters, power loss, sabotage or terrorism, computer viruses, intentional acts of vandalism, and similar events. Nasdaq has active and aggressive programs in place to identify and minimize its exposure to these vulnerabilities and works in collaboration with the technology industry to share corrective measures with Nasdaq's business partners. Nasdaq currently maintains multiple computer facilities that are designed to provide redundancy and back-up to reduce the risk of system disruptions, and has facilities in place that are expected to maintain service during a system disruption. Any system failure that causes an interruption in service or decreases the responsiveness of Nasdaq's service could impair its reputation, damage its brand name and negatively impact its revenue. Nasdaq also relies on a number of third parties for systems support. Any interruption in these third-party services or deterioration in the performance of these services could also be disruptive to Nasdaq's business and have a material adverse effect on its business, financial condition and operating results.

Nasdaq may not be able to keep up with rapid technological and other competitive changes affecting the structure of the securities markets.

        The markets in which Nasdaq competes are characterized by rapidly changing technology, evolving industry standards, frequent enhancements to existing services and products, the introduction of new services and products and changing customer demands. These market characteristics are heightened by the emerging nature of the Internet and the trend for companies from many industries to offer Internet-based products and services. In addition, the widespread adoption of new Internet, networking, or telecommunications technologies or other technological changes could require Nasdaq to incur substantial expenditures to modify or adapt its services or infrastructure. Nasdaq's future success will depend on its ability to respond to changing technologies on a timely and cost-effective basis. Nasdaq's operating results may be adversely affected if it cannot successfully develop, introduce, or market new services and products. In addition, any failure by Nasdaq to anticipate or respond adequately to changes in technology and customer preferences, or any significant delays in other product development efforts, could have a material adverse effect on Nasdaq's business, financial condition and operating results.

Nasdaq may have difficulty continuing prior levels of growth.

        For several years, Nasdaq experienced significant growth in its business and the number of its employees. This required Nasdaq to increase its investment in technology, management personnel, market regulatory services and facilities. Over the last three years, however, the securities industry and stock markets have faced adverse conditions. As a result, Nasdaq has not been able, and in the future may not be able, to continue prior levels growth. In addition, Nasdaq may have difficulty managing its business as it is forced to reduce its expenses to deal with contraction in its business. In an attempt to stimulate future growth, Nasdaq has undertaken several initiatives to increase its business, including enhancing existing products, developing new products and forming strategic relationships. The increased costs associated with these initiatives may not be offset by corresponding increases in its revenue. No assurance can be made that Nasdaq has made adequate allowances for the changes and risks associated with the weakened equities market, that its systems, procedures, or controls will be adequate to support

8



its operations, or that its management will be able to offer and expand its services successfully, particularly if adverse market conditions continue. If Nasdaq is unable to manage its operations effectively, its business, financial condition and operating results could be adversely affected.

Nasdaq may need additional funds to support its business plan.

        Nasdaq depends on the availability of adequate capital to maintain and develop its business. Nasdaq believes that its current capital requirements will be met from internally generated funds and from the funds raised in connection with the Restructuring. However, based upon a variety of factors, including the market share of SuperMontage, reductions in fee levels caused by increased competition, the cost of service and technology upgrades and regulatory costs, Nasdaq's ability to fund its capital requirements may vary from those currently planned. There can be no assurance that additional capital will be available on a timely basis, or on favorable terms or at all.

        Nasdaq had total debt outstanding of approximately $441.0 million on December 31, 2002. This debt contains certain covenant provisions that are normally associated with debt financing. Failure to satisfy these covenants could cause the acceleration of principal and interest on all of the outstanding debt. In addition, as of the date hereof, Nasdaq had issued and outstanding 1,338,402 shares of Series A Preferred Stock, as a result of which Nasdaq is required to make regular dividend payments to the NASD. The dividends payable are calculated based on a dividend rate that is currently 7.6% and increases to 10.6% in all years commencing after March 2004.

Certain Congressional and SEC reviews could result in a reduction in data fees that could reduce Nasdaq's revenue.

        The SEC is reviewing concerns by industry members that the present levels of data fees do not properly reflect the costs associated with their collection, processing and distribution. The SEC currently is reviewing a report on the issues from its Advisory Committee on Market Information that was issued in September 2001 and comments on the report. Nasdaq has argued that there is significant value in the quality of data it provides to the investing community. Nasdaq also has argued that there are regulatory, market capacity, and other related costs of operating the market. A fee realignment that does not recognize the full value of the data and/or the market costs of creating and delivering high quality market data could reduce overall data revenue in the future and adversely affect Nasdaq's business, financial condition and operating results.

        Congress conducted hearings in 2000 and 2001 and introduced legislation in 2000 pertaining to whether stock exchanges and markets have a property right to quote and trade data. Since securities firms are required to supply the market operator with quote and trade information, some have argued that the operator has no right to be able to validate the data, consolidate the data with other market participant data and sell the data back to the securities firms. This issue may continue to be debated and the outcome could have a significant impact on the viability of Nasdaq's data revenue and, as a consequence, on its business, financial condition and operating results.

Failure to protect its intellectual property rights could harm Nasdaq's brand-building efforts and ability to compete effectively.

        To protect its rights to its intellectual property, Nasdaq relies on a combination of trademark laws, copyright laws, patent laws, trade secret protection, confidentiality agreements, and other contractual arrangements with its affiliates, clients, strategic partners, and others. The protective steps Nasdaq has taken may be inadequate to deter misappropriation of its proprietary information. Nasdaq may be unable to detect the unauthorized use of, or take appropriate steps to enforce, its intellectual property rights. Nasdaq has registered, or applied to register, its trademarks in the U.S. and in 40 foreign jurisdictions and has pending U.S. and foreign applications for other trademarks. Effective trademark,

9



copyright, patent and trade secret protection may not be available in every country in which Nasdaq offers or intends to offer its services. Failure to protect its intellectual property adequately could harm its brand and affect its ability to compete effectively. Further, defending its intellectual property rights could result in the expenditure of significant financial and managerial resources, which could adversely affect Nasdaq's business, financial condition and operating results.

Failure to attract and retain key personnel may adversely affect Nasdaq's ability to conduct its business.

        Nasdaq's future success depends on the continued service and performance of its senior management and certain other key personnel. For example, Nasdaq is dependent on specialized systems personnel to operate, maintain and upgrade its systems. The inability of Nasdaq to retain key personnel or retain other qualified personnel could adversely affect Nasdaq's business, financial condition and operating results.

Nasdaq is subject to risks relating to litigation and potential securities laws liability.

        Many aspects of Nasdaq's business potentially involve substantial risks of liability. While Nasdaq enjoys immunity for self-regulatory organization activities, it could be exposed to liability under federal and state securities laws, other federal and state laws and court decisions, as well as rules and regulations promulgated by the SEC and other federal and state agencies. These risks include, among others, potential liability from disputes over the terms of a trade, or claims that a system failure or delay cost a customer money, that Nasdaq entered into an unauthorized transaction or that it provided materially false or misleading statements in connection with a securities transaction. As Nasdaq intends to defend any such litigation actively, significant legal expenses could be incurred. An adverse resolution of any future lawsuit or claim against Nasdaq could have an adverse effect on its business, financial condition and operating results.

Lack of operating history as for-profit entity and potential conflicts of interest with related parties.

        While Nasdaq has an established operating history, it has only operated as a for-profit company with private ownership interests since June 28, 2000. Therefore, Nasdaq is subject to the risks and uncertainties associated with any newly independent company. Until Exchange Registration, the NASD will retain voting control over Nasdaq. In addition, four of the 20 members of the Nasdaq Board are currently members of the NASD Board. Until Exchange Registration, the NASD will be in a position to continue to control substantially all matters affecting Nasdaq, including any determination with respect to the direction and policies of Nasdaq, acquisition or disposition of assets, future issuances of securities of Nasdaq, Nasdaq's incurrence of debt and any dividend payable on the Common Stock.

        Conflicts of interest may arise between Nasdaq and the NASD, or its affiliates, in a number of areas relating to their past and ongoing relationships, including the nature, quality, and pricing of services rendered; shared marketing functions; tax and employee benefit matters; indemnity agreements; sales or distributions by the NASD of all or any portion of its ownership interest in Nasdaq; or the NASD's ability to influence certain affairs of Nasdaq prior to Exchange Registration. There can be no assurance that the NASD and Nasdaq will be able to resolve any potential conflict or that, if resolved, Nasdaq would not receive more favorable resolution if it were dealing with an unaffiliated party.

        Conflicts may also arise between Nasdaq and Amex by virtue of commitments made by the NASD in connection with the NASD's acquisition of Amex.

10



The intercompany agreements may not be effected on terms as favorable to Nasdaq as could have been obtained from unaffiliated third parties.

        For purposes of governing their ongoing relationship, Nasdaq and the NASD, or their affiliates, have entered into various agreements involving the provision of services such as market surveillance and other regulatory functions, finance, technology infrastructure, legal and facilities sharing. Nasdaq has negotiated an agreement with NASD Regulation, Inc. ("NASDR") pursuant to which NASDR will regulate Nasdaq trading activity commencing upon the effectiveness of Exchange Registration. At the time the parties negotiated this agreement, the parties envisioned that the NASDR would continue regulating trading activity on Nasdaq under a long-term contract that establishes the various functions NASDR will perform and the price that Nasdaq will pay for these functions. The functions covered under this agreement, as negotiated, are substantially of the same type and scope as those NASDR performs under the Delegation Plan approved by the SEC pursuant to which Nasdaq operates.

        In the future Nasdaq may determine that it is necessary to negotiate new contracts with the NASD or its affiliates, or to renegotiate existing contracts between the parties. Although it is the intention of the parties to negotiate agreements that provide for arm's length, fair market value pricing, there can be no assurance that these contemplated agreements, or the transactions provided in them, will be effected on terms as favorable to Nasdaq as could have been obtained from unaffiliated third parties. The cost to Nasdaq for such services could increase at a faster rate than its revenue and could adversely affect Nasdaq's business, financial condition and operating results.

The SEC may challenge or not approve Nasdaq's plan to become a national securities exchange or it may require changes in the manner Nasdaq conducts its business before granting this approval.

        The SEC may not approve Nasdaq's application for Exchange Registration or may require changes in Nasdaq's corporate governance structure and the way Nasdaq conducts its business before granting this approval. Failure to be so registered could adversely effect Nasdaq's competitive position and could have a material adverse effect on Nasdaq's business conditions and business prospects.

        In connection with Exchange Registration, certain changes must be made to the national market system plans. Certain participants in the plans may object to, or request modifications to, amendments proposed by Nasdaq. Failure to resolve these issues in a timely manner could delay Exchange Registration.

        There can be no assurance that Exchange Registration will occur or that the registration process will occur in a timely manner. Because of the nature of the regulatory process and the variety of market structure issues that would have to be resolved across all markets, the registration process could be lengthy. In the long-term, the failure to be approved as an exchange by the SEC may have negative implications on the ability of Nasdaq to fund its planned initiatives.

        In addition, the SEC has not yet agreed and may not agree to Nasdaq's proposal to continue to operate the OTC Bulletin Board after Exchange Registration.

There currently is a limited trading market for the Common Stock.

        The Common Stock is traded in the over-the-counter market through the OTC Bulletin Board. The trading volume in the Common Stock has been relatively limited, with average daily trading volume from the start of trading on July 1, 2002 through December 31, 2002 of approximately 14,000 shares. A more active trading market for the Common Stock may not develop and such market as does develop on the OTC Bulletin Board may have limited liquidity and considerable volatility.

11




Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

        Certain statements in this reoffer prospectus and the registration statement contain or may contain forward-looking statements that are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements were based on various factors and were derived utilizing numerous assumptions and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. These factors include, but are not limited to, Nasdaq's ability to implement its strategic initiatives, economic, political and market conditions and fluctuations, government and industry regulation, interest rate risk, U.S. and global competition, and other factors. Most of these factors are difficult to predict accurately and are generally beyond our control. You should consider the areas of risk described in connection with any forward-looking statements that may be made herein. Readers should carefully review this reoffer prospectus and registration statement in its entirety, including but not limited to Nasdaq's financial statements and the notes thereto incorporated by reference herein and the risks described in "Risk Factors." Except for Nasdaq's ongoing obligations to disclose material information under the Federal securities laws, Nasdaq undertakes no obligation to release publicly any revisions to any forward-looking statements, to report events or to report the occurrence of unanticipated events. For any forward-looking statements contained in any document, Nasdaq claims the protection of the safe harbor for forward-looking statements contained in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.


Use of Proceeds

        Nasdaq will not receive any proceeds from the sale of Shares which may be sold pursuant to this reoffer prospectus for the accounts of the Selling Securityholder. All such proceeds, net of brokerage commissions, if any, will be received by the Selling Securityholder. See "Selling Securityholder" and "Plan of Distribution."


Selling Securityholder

        The Employment Agreement provides for the Selling Securityholder to receive certain equity awards including the grant of an option to purchase 1,000,000 shares of common stock and the grant of 100,000 shares of restricted common stock (previously referred to collectively as the "Shares"). This reoffer prospectus covers offers and sales from time to time of the Shares by the Selling Securityholder. Under Rule 416 of the Securities Act, the Selling Securityholder may also offer and sell shares of common stock issued to the Selling Securityholder as a result of, among other events, stock splits, stock dividends and similar events that affect the number of Shares held by the Selling Securityholder. The Selling Securityholder serves as Nasdaq's president and chief executive officer and is a member of the board of directors.

Name

  Shares Beneficially
Owned Before
Offering(1)

  Shares Offered(2)
  Shares Beneficially
Owned After
Offering(1)

 
Robert Greifeld   600,000 (3) 1,100,000   250,000 (3)(4)

(1)
The number of shares beneficially owned is determined under rules promulgated by the SEC and includes outstanding shares of common stock or restricted common stock and options for common stock that have vested or will vest within 60 days.

(2)
Represents the Shares the Selling Securityholder has acquired as a result of the grant of 100,000 shares of restricted common stock and may acquire upon full exercise of the option for 1,000,000 Shares pursuant to his Employment Agreement.

12


(3)
Represents less than one percent of common stock outstanding as of July 9, 2003.

(4)
Assumes that the Selling Securityholder sells all of the Shares covered by this reoffer prospectus.


Plan of Distribution

        Shares offered hereby may be sold from time to time directly by or on behalf of the Selling Securityholder in one or more transactions on any stock exchange or stock market on which the common stock may be listed at the time of sale, in privately negotiated transactions, or through a combination of such methods, at market prices prevailing at the time of sale, at prices related to such prevailing market prices, at fixed prices (which may be changed) or at negotiated prices. The Selling Securityholder may sell the Shares through one or more agents, brokers or dealers or directly to purchasers. Such brokers or dealers may receive compensation in the form of commissions, discounts or concessions from the Selling Securityholder and/or purchasers of the Shares or both (which compensation as to a particular broker or dealer may be in excess of customary commissions).

        In connection with such sales, the Selling Securityholder and any participating broker or dealer may be deemed to be "underwriters" within the meaning of the Securities Act, and any commissions they receive and the proceeds of any sale of Shares may be deemed to be underwriting discounts and commissions under the Securities Act.

        In order to comply with certain state securities laws, if applicable, the Shares may be sold in such jurisdictions only through registered or licensed brokers or dealers. In certain states, the Shares may not be sold unless the Shares have been registered or qualified for sale in such state or an exemption from regulation or qualification is available and is complied with. Sales of Shares must also be made by the Selling Securityholder in compliance with all other applicable state securities laws and regulations.

        In addition to any Shares sold hereunder, Selling Securityholder may, at the same time, sell any shares of common stock, including the Shares, owned by him in compliance with all of the requirements of Rule 144, regardless of whether such shares are covered by this reoffer prospectus.

        There can be no assurance that the Selling Securityholder will sell any or all of the Shares offered hereby. In addition, there may be certain contractual restrictions on the ability of the Selling Securityholder to sell any or all of his Shares.

        The Company will pay all expenses of the registration of the Shares and will not receive any proceeds from the sale of any Shares by the Selling Securityholder.

        The Company has notified the Selling Securityholder of the need to deliver a copy of this reoffer prospectus in connection with any sale of the Shares.


Legal Matters

        The validity of the Shares being offered hereby has been passed upon for Nasdaq by Shearman & Sterling LLP.


Experts

        The consolidated financial statements of Nasdaq as of December 31, 2002 and 2001, and for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2002, incorporated by reference in this Registration Statement and reoffer prospectus on Form S-8, have been audited by Ernst & Young LLP, independent auditors, as set forth in their report and incorporated by reference in this reoffer prospectus in reliance upon such report given on the authority of such firm as experts in accounting and auditing.

13




PART II

INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT

Item 3. Incorporation of Documents by Reference.

        The following documents filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission"), are incorporated as of their respective dates in this Registration Statement by reference.

        All other documents subsequently filed by the Registrant pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, prior to the filing of a post-effective amendment to this Registration Statement that indicates that all securities offered have been sold or which deregisters all securities then remaining unsold, shall be deemed to be incorporated by reference in this Registration Statement and to be a part hereof from the date of filing of such documents. Any statement contained in a document incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference herein shall be deemed to be modified or superseded for purposes of this Registration Statement to the extent that a statement contained herein or in any other subsequently filed document that also is or is deemed to be incorporated by reference herein modifies or supersedes such statement. Any such statement so modified or superseded shall not be deemed, except as so modified or superseded, to constitute a part of this Registration Statement.


Item 4. Description of Securities.

        Not required.


Item 5. Interests of Named Experts and Counsel.

        None.


Item 6. Indemnification of Directors and Officers.

        Section 145 of the Delaware General Corporation Law allows for the indemnification of officers, directors, and any corporate agents in terms sufficiently broad to indemnify such person under certain circumstances for liabilities, including reimbursement for expenses, incurred arising under the Securities Act. The Registrant's Restated Certificate of Incorporation and By-Laws provide that the Registrant shall indemnify its directors, officers, employees, and members of the Registrant's Listing and Hearing Review Council to the fullest extent permitted by Delaware law. The Registrant, in its discretion, may indemnify its agents to the fullest extent and under the circumstances permitted by the Delaware General Corporation Law. The directors and officers of the Registrant are covered by insurance policies indemnifying them against certain liabilities, including certain liabilities arising under the Securities Act, which might be incurred by them in such capacities and against which they may not be indemnified by the Registrant.




Item 7. Exemption from Registration Claimed.

        Not applicable.


Item 8. Exhibits.

        See attached Exhibit list.


Item 9. Undertakings.

        (a)   The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes:

        (b)   The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act, each filing of the Registrant's annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act (and where applicable, each filing of an employee benefit plan's annual report pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act) that is incorporated by reference in the registration statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

        (c)   Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the Registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the Registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the Registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the Registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the Registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.




SIGNATURES

        Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act, the Registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-8 and has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of New York, State of New York on the 10th day of July, 2003.

    The Nasdaq Stock Market, Inc.

 

 

By:

 

/s/  
EDWARD S. KNIGHT        
        Name:   Edward S. Knight
        Title:   General Counsel

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this registration statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities indicated on this 10th day of July, 2003.

Signature

  Title

/s/  
ROBERT GREIFELD        
Robert Greifeld

 

President and Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer) and Director

/s/  
DAVID P. WARREN        
David P. Warren

 

Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial Officer)

/s/  
RONALD HASSEN        
Ronald Hassen

 

Controller (Principal Accounting Officer)

*

H. Furlong Baldwin

 

Chairman of the Board of Directors

*

Frank E. Baxter

 

Director

*

Michael Casey

 

Director

*

Michael W. Clark

 

Director

*

William S. Cohen

 

Director

*

Lon Gorman

 

Director

*

John P. Havens

 

Director

*

F. Warren Hellman

 

Director

*

Thomas M. Joyce

 

Director

*

John D. Markese

 

Director

*

Thomas F. O'Neill

 

Director

*

James S. Riepe

 

Director
         


*

Arthur Rock

 

Director

*

Arvind Sodhani

 

Director

*

Sir Martin Sorrell

 

Director

*

Thomas G. Stemberg

 

Director

*

Thomas W. Weisel

 

Director

*

Mary Jo White

 

Director

*

Arshad R. Zakaria

 

Director

*By:

 

/s/ Edward S. Knight

Edward S. Knight
Attorney-in-Fact

 

 


EXHIBIT INDEX

Exhibit
Number

  Description

3.1

 

Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Registrant (incorporated by reference to the Registrant's Registration Statement on Form 10 (Registration No. 000-32651)).

3.2

 

By-Laws of the Registrant (incorporated by reference to the Registrant's Registration Statement on Form 10 (Registration No. 000-32651)).

4.1

 

Form of certificate representing shares of Common Stock (incorporated by reference to the Registrant's Registration Statement on Form 10 (Registration No. 000-32651)).

4.2*

 

Employment Agreement between the Registrant and Robert Greifeld, effective May 12, 2003.

4.3*

 

Nonqualified Stock Option Agreement, dated as of April 15, 2003, between Robert Greifeld and the Registrant (Exhibit A to Exhibit 4.2).

4.4*

 

Restricted Stock Award Agreement, dated as of June 11, 2003, between Robert Greifeld and the Registrant (Exhibit C to Exhibit 4.2).

5.1*

 

Opinion of Shearman & Sterling LLP, as to the legality of the shares of Common Stock being registered.

23.1*

 

Consent of Ernst & Young LLP.

23.2*

 

Consent of Shearman & Sterling LLP (contained in Exhibit 5.1).

24.1*

 

Powers of Attorney.

*
Filed herewith.



QuickLinks

Explanatory Note
Reoffer Prospectus
1,100,000 Shares of Common Stock of The Nasdaq Stock Market, Inc.
Table of Contents
Additional Information
Incorporation of Certain Documents by Reference
The Company
Risk Factors
Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
Use of Proceeds
Selling Securityholder
Plan of Distribution
Legal Matters
Experts
PART II
INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT
SIGNATURES
EXHIBIT INDEX

QuickLinks -- Click here to rapidly navigate through this document


Exhibit 4.2


EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

        EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT (this "Agreement"), made and entered into effective as of May 12, 2003 (the "Effective Date"), by and between The Nasdaq Stock Market, Inc. (the "Company") and Robert Greifeld (the "Executive").

        WHEREAS, the Company desires to employ the Executive and to enter into an agreement embodying the terms of such employment and considers it essential to its best interests and the best interests of its stockholders to employ the Executive during the term of the Agreement;

        WHEREAS, the Executive desires to accept such employment and enter into such an agreement; and

        WHEREAS, the Executive is party to a Term Sheet, dated as of April 15, 2003, with the Company (the "Term Sheet") and the parties desire to supersede and replace the Term Sheet in its entirety with this Agreement.

        NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and mutual covenants herein and for other good and valuable consideration, the parties hereby agree as follows:

        1.    Term of Employment.    Subject to Section 8 below, the term of the Executive's employment under this Agreement shall commence on the Effective Date and shall end on May 12, 2007 (the "Initial Period"); provided, however, that such term shall be automatically extended for additional one-year periods (each, a "Renewal Period") unless, not later than 180 days prior to the expiration of the Initial Period or a Renewal Period, as applicable, either party hereto shall provide written notice of its or his desire not to extend the term hereof (a "Non-Renewal Notice") to the other party hereto (the Initial Period, together with each Renewal Period then in effect, shall be referred to hereinafter as the "Employment Term").

        2.    Position.    

        (a)    Duties.    The Executive shall serve as the Company's Chief Executive Officer and President. In such position, the Executive shall have such duties and authority as shall be determined from time to time by the Board of Directors of the Company (the "Board") and as shall be consistent with the by-laws of the Company as in effect from time to time; provided, however, that, at all times, the Executive's duties and responsibilities hereunder shall be commensurate in all material respects with his status as the senior-most officer of the Company. During the Employment Term, the Executive shall devote his full time and best efforts to his duties hereunder. The Executive shall report directly to the Board (or any committee of the Board designated for this purpose). In addition, as of the Effective Date, the Board shall appoint the Executive a member of the Board, and the Executive agrees to continue to serve during the Employment Term as a member of the Board to the extent he is periodically elected or appointed to such position in accordance with the by-laws of the Company and applicable law.

        (b)    Company Code of Conduct.    The Executive shall comply in all respects with the NASD Code of Conduct as may be amended from time to time (the "Code of Conduct"), and the Executive hereby acknowledges that he has received a copy of the Code of Conduct. Pursuant to the Code of Conduct, and subject to Section 9 below, the Executive shall be required to: (i) disclose to the Audit Committee of the board of directors of the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. (the "Audit Committee") the names of the boards of directors, boards of advisors or boards of trustees on which he currently serves and (ii) obtain prior approval from the Audit Committee for service as a new director of any publicly traded company, which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld. The Executive agrees to accept the final Audit Committee decision on the suitability of all present and future directorships as binding. Subject to the foregoing, the Executive may, in accordance with the Code of Conduct, (i) engage in personal activities involving charitable, community, educational, religious or similar organizations, (ii) manage his personal investments and (iii) continue to serve as a member of



the boards of directors, boards of advisors or boards of trustees on which he is serving on the Effective Date; provided, however, that, in each case, such activities are in all respects consistent with applicable law and are in accordance with Section 9 below.

        3.    Base Salary.    During the Employment Term, the Company shall pay the Executive a base salary (the "Base Salary") at an annual rate of $790,000.00. The Base Salary shall be payable in regular payroll installments in accordance with the Company's payroll practices as in effect from time to time. The Management Compensation Committee of the Board (the "Compensation Committee") shall review the Base Salary at least annually and may (but shall be under no obligation to) increase (but not decrease) the Base Salary on the basis of such review.

        4.    Annual Bonus; Transition Bonus.    

        (a)    Annual Bonus.    For each calendar year during the Employment Term, the Executive shall be eligible to participate in the Incentive Compensation Program of the Company (the "Bonus Program") in accordance with the terms and provisions of such Bonus Program as established from time to time by the Compensation Committee and pursuant to which the Executive will be eligible to earn an annual cash bonus (the "Annual Bonus"). The Company has made available to the Executive a complete copy of the Bonus Program in effect as of the Effective Date. Pursuant to the terms of the Bonus Program, the Executive shall be eligible to earn, for each full calendar year during the Employment Term, a target Annual Bonus equal to $1,750,000.00 (the "Target Bonus") based upon the achievement of one or more performance goals established for such year by the Compensation Committee after reasonable and good faith consultation with the Executive with respect to such goals.

        (b)    Minimum Annual Bonus.    Notwithstanding Section 4(a) above, the Company shall pay the Executive a minimum Annual Bonus (i) for 2003, equal to $1,750,000.00 and (ii) for 2004, equal to 100% of the annual rate of the Executive's Base Salary, at the rate in effect on January 1st of such year, subject, in each case, to the Executive's continued employment with the Company through the end of such year.

        (c)    Pro Rata Annual Bonus.    Except as otherwise provided in Section 8 below, the Annual Bonus payable for each partial year during the Employment Term shall be prorated based upon the number of days of the Employment Term occurring during such year; provided, however, that any proration of the minimum bonus for 2003 shall be calculated as if the Executive commenced employment hereunder as of January 1, 2003.

        (d)    Timing and Deferral of Annual Bonus.    The Annual Bonus for each year shall be paid to the Executive as soon as reasonably practicable following the end of such year, but in no event later than March 31st following the end of the calendar year to which such Annual Bonus relates. Notwithstanding Section 4(a) above, 20% of the Annual Bonus otherwise due and payable pursuant to this Section 4 shall be retained by the Company in accordance with the terms of the Company Retention Component of the Incentive Compensation Program, as adopted by the Compensation Committee on January 23, 2002, and as such policy may be amended from time to time.

        (e)    Transition Bonus.    In addition to the Annual Bonus payable pursuant to Section 4(a), the Company shall pay the Executive a cash payment of $500,000.00 (the "Transition Bonus") by no later than April 15, 2004, subject (i) to the Executive's continued employment through such date and (ii) to repayment in the event that the Executive's employment is terminated for Cause or without Good Reason (each as defined below) prior to the second anniversary of the Effective Date.

        5.    Equity Compensation.    

        (a)    Options.    The Company and the Executive hereby acknowledge that on April 15, 2003, the Company granted the Executive an option covering one million shares of Company common stock (the "First Option"), with an exercise price of $5.28 per share, which was the fair market value of a share of

2


the Company's common stock on such date, as determined in accordance with the methodology for calculating fair market value set forth in The Nasdaq Stock Market, Inc. Equity Compensation Plan, which has been adopted by the Board and may from time to time be amended (the "Stock Plan"). In addition, following appropriate Compensation Committee approval, the Company has granted the Executive pursuant to the Stock Plan a second option (collectively with the First Option, the "Options") to purchase one million shares of the Company's common stock (subject to applicable adjustments pursuant to Section 4(b) of the Stock Plan) with an exercise price at $6.30 per share, which was the fair market value of a share of the Company's common stock on the date of grant, determined in accordance with the aforementioned methodology. The Options shall be subject to the terms and conditions as set forth on the respective option award agreements (the "Option Agreements") attached hereto as Exhibits A and B.

        (b)    Restricted Stock.    The Company shall grant the Executive 100,000 restricted shares of Company common stock (the "Restricted Shares") on each of (i) June 11, 20003; (ii) the first anniversary of the Effective Date; and (iii) the second anniversary of the Effective Date, subject to the Executive's employment with the Company on each such date. Each grant of the Restricted Shares shall be subject to the terms and conditions as set forth on a restricted stock award agreement (each, a "Restricted Stock Agreement"). The Restricted Stock Agreement covering the first grant of Restricted Shares is attached hereto as Exhibit C and the form of agreement for the subsequent grants shall be substantially similar to Exhibit C.

        6.    Employee Benefits.    

        (a)    Generally.    During the Employment Term, the Company shall provide the Executive with benefits on the same basis as benefits are generally made available to other senior executives of the Company, including, without limitation, medical, dental, vision, disability and life insurance and pension benefits. The Executive shall be entitled to four weeks of paid vacation; provided, however, that, in the event the Executive's employment ends for any reason, the Executive shall be paid only for unused vacation that accrued in the calendar year his employment terminated and any unused vacation for any prior year shall be forfeited.

        (b)    SERP Participation and Provisions.    The Executive shall be entitled to participate in the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan (the "SERP") and is hereby designated an "Executive Participant" for purposes of the SERP. The Company has made available to the Executive a complete copy of the SERP in effect as of the Effective Date. Notwithstanding any term or condition contained in the SERP to the contrary:

3


        7.    Business and Other Expenses.    

        (a)    Business Expenses.    During the Employment Term, the Company shall reimburse the Executive for reasonable business expenses incurred by him in the performance of his duties hereunder in accordance with the policy established by the Compensation Committee. Accordingly, the Company shall reimburse the Executive's expenses associated with business travel in accordance with such policy.

        (b)    Transportation and Security.    During the Employment Term, in accordance with the directives of the Compensation Committee, the Company shall provide the Executive with an automobile and driver during the business week for personal and business use and at other times as required for business purposes. The driver shall have security training if the Executive and the Compensation Committee determine in good faith that such security training is necessary or advisable for the personal safety of the Executive or his family. As soon as practicable following the Effective Date, the Company, at its expense, shall conduct a security audit at the Executive's New Jersey residence and, if necessary, install or upgrade the Executive's home security system at a reasonable cost to the Company not to exceed $10,000.00.

        (c)    Legal Fees.    The Company shall pay or reimburse the Executive for his reasonable legal fees and expenses incurred in connection with the negotiation and execution of this Agreement upon presentation by the Executive of written invoices or receipts setting forth in reasonable detail the basis for such legal fees and expenses in an amount not to exceed $20,000.00.

        8.    Termination.    Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, subject to the further provisions of this Section 8, the Company may terminate the Executive's employment or the Executive may resign such employment for any reason or no stated reason at any time, subject to the notice and other provisions set forth below:

        (a)    Generally.    In the event of the termination of the Executive's employment for any reason, the Executive shall be entitled to receive payment of (i) any unpaid Base Salary through the Date of Termination, (ii) subject to Section 6(a) above, any accrued but unpaid vacation through the Date of Termination (as defined below) and (iii) any earned but unpaid Annual Bonus with respect to the calendar year ended prior to the Date of Termination (the "Base Obligations"). In addition, in the event of the Executive's termination of employment, the applicable provisions of the Option Agreements and any Restricted Stock Agreement shall govern the treatment of the Options and the Restricted Shares, respectively.

        For purposes of this Agreement, "Date of Termination" means (i) in the event of a termination of the Executive's employment by the Company for Cause or by the Executive for Good Reason, the date specified in a written notice of termination (or, if not specified therein, the date of delivery of such notice), but in no event earlier than the expiration of the cure periods set forth in Section 8(b)(ii) or 8(b)(iii) below, respectively; (ii) in the event of a termination of the Executive's employment by the Company without Cause, the date specified in a written notice of termination (or if not specified therein, the date of delivery of such notice); (iii) in the event of a termination of the Executive's employment by the Executive without Good Reason, the date specified in a written notice of

4



termination, but in no event less than 60 days following the date of delivery of such notice; (iv) in the event of a termination of the Executive's employment due to Permanent Disability (as defined below), the date the Company terminates the Executive's employment following the certification of the Executive's Permanent Disability; (v) in the event of a termination of Employment due to the Executive's death, the date of the Executive's death; or (vi) in the event of a termination of the Executive's employment due to the delivery of a Non-Renewal Notice, the date on which the Initial Period or a Renewal Period expires, as applicable.

        (b)    Termination by the Company Without Cause or by the Executive for Good Reason.    

5


        (c)    Permanent Disability.    

        (d)    Death.    The Executive's employment hereunder may terminate due to his death. Upon termination of the Executive's employment hereunder due to death, the Executive's estate shall be entitled to receive, in addition to the Base Obligations, the following payments and benefits from the Company: (i) a pro rata Target Bonus with respect to the calendar year in which the Date of Termination occurs, payable in a lump sum within 30 days following the Date of Termination and (ii) the Transition Bonus (to the extent not already paid) in accordance with the provisions of Section 4(e) above. All other benefits, if any, due the Executive's estate following termination pursuant to this Section 8(d) shall be determined in accordance with the plans, policies and practices of the Company.

        (e)    For Cause by the Company or Without Good Reason.    The Executive's employment hereunder may be terminated by the Company for Cause or by the Executive without Good Reason. Upon termination of the Executive's employment for Cause or without Good Reason pursuant to this Section 8(e), in the event the Date of Termination occurs prior to the second anniversary of the

6



Effective Date, the Executive shall repay to the Company the Transition Bonus in accordance with the provisions of Section 4(e) above. The Executive shall have no further rights to any compensation (including any Annual Bonus or Transition Bonus) or any other benefits under this Agreement other than the Base Obligations. All other benefits, if any, due the Executive following the Executive's termination of employment pursuant to this Section 8(e) shall be determined in accordance with the plans, policies and practices of the Company; provided, however, that the Executive shall not participate in any severance plan, policy, or program of the Company.

        (f)    Non-Renewal of Employment Term.    The Executive's employment hereunder may be terminated by either the Executive or the Company by delivery of a Non-Renewal Notice in accordance with the provisions of Section 1 above. Upon termination of the Executive's employment with the Company following the delivery of a Non-Renewal Notice, the Executive shall be entitled to receive, in addition to the Base Obligations, the SERP benefit. Upon termination of the Executive's employment pursuant to this Section 8(f), the Executive shall have no further rights, other than those set forth in this Section 8(f), to any compensation or benefits under this Agreement. All other benefits, if any, due the Executive following termination pursuant to this Section 8(f) shall be determined in accordance with the plans, policies and practices of the Company; provided, however, that the Executive shall not participate in any severance plan, policy or program of the Company.

        (g)    Consulting Arrangement.    Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, in the event of a termination of the Executive's employment under Section 8(b) or 8(f) above, the Company, in its discretion and subject to the approval of the Board and the Executive, may engage the Executive as a consultant for a period commencing on the Date of Termination and ending on the first anniversary thereof (the "Consulting Period"); provided, however, that the Company may, upon written notice to the Executive, terminate the Consulting Period for any reason and at any time. The Executive's services during the Consulting Period shall consist of such consulting and advisory services, and shall be provided at such times, as may be requested from time to time by the Board. During the Consulting Period, the Company shall pay the Executive, as compensation for the consulting services to be performed by the Executive, a fee as shall be mutually agreed upon by the Company and the Executive. The Executive and the Company hereby agree that during the Consulting Period the Executive shall not be an employee of the Company but shall act in the capacity of an independent contractor. Consequently, the Executive shall not be entitled to participate during the Consulting Period in any of the benefit plans, policies and practices of the Company, except as required by applicable law.

        (h)    Mitigation; Offset.    Following the termination of his employment under any of the above clauses of this Section 8, the Executive shall have no obligation or duty to seek subsequent employment or engagement as an employee (including self-employment) or as a consultant or otherwise mitigate the Company's obligations hereunder; nor shall the payments provided by this Section 8 be reduced by the compensation earned by the Executive as an employee or consultant from such subsequent employment or consultancy.

        9.    Non-Competition; Non-Solicitation; Confidentiality.    The Executive acknowledges and recognizes the highly competitive nature of the businesses of the Company and accordingly agrees as follows:

        (a)    Non-Competition.    For a period of one year following the Date of Termination (the "Restricted Period"), regardless of the circumstances surrounding such termination of employment, the Executive will not, directly or indirectly, (i) engage in any "Competitive Business" (as defined below) for the Executive's own account, (ii) enter the employ of, or render any services to, any person engaged in a Competitive Business, (iii) acquire a financial interest in, or otherwise become actively involved with, any person engaged in a Competitive Business, directly or indirectly, as an individual, partner, shareholder, officer, director, principal, agent, trustee or consultant, or (iv) interfere with business

7



relationships (whether formed before or after the date of this Agreement) between the Company and customers or suppliers of the Company. For purposes of this Agreement, "Competitive Business" shall mean (x) any national securities exchange registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission, (y) any electronic communications network or (z) any other entity that engages in substantially the same business as the Company, in each case in North America or in any other location in which the Company operates. For purposes of this Agreement, "person" shall mean an individual, corporation, partnership, limited partnership, limited liability company, syndicate, person (including, without limitation, a "person" as defined in Section 13(d)(3) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended), trust, association or entity or government, political subdivision, agency or instrumentality of a government.

        (b)    Non-Solicitation.    During the Restricted Period, the Executive will not, directly or indirectly, (i) interfere with any relationship between the Company and any of its employees, consultants, agents or representatives; (ii) employ or otherwise engage, or attempt to employ or otherwise engage, any current or former employee, consultant, agent or representative of the Company in any Competitive Business; (iii) solicit the business or account of the Company or any affiliate; or (iv) divert or attempt to divert from the Company any business or interfere with any relationship between the Company and any of its clients or customers.

        (c)    Securities Ownership.    Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, the Executive may, directly or indirectly, own, solely as an investment, securities of any person engaged in the business of the Company which are publicly traded on a national or regional stock exchange or on the over-the-counter market if the Executive (i) is not a controlling person of, or a member of a group which controls, such person and (ii) does not, directly or indirectly, own one percent or more of any class of securities of such person.

        (d)    Confidentiality.    The Executive hereby agrees that he will comply with the Company's general policies regarding confidentiality of information and processes. Without in any way limiting the foregoing sentence, the Executive further agrees that he will not, at any time during or after the Employment Term, make use of or divulge to any other person, firm or corporation any trade or business secret, process, method or means, or any other confidential information concerning the business or policies of the Company, which he may have learned in connection with his employment. For purposes of this Agreement, a "trade or business secret, process, method or means, or any other confidential information" shall mean and include written information treated as confidential or as a trade secret by the Company. The Executive's obligation under this Section 9(d) shall not apply to any information which (i) is known publicly; (ii) is in the public domain or hereafter enters the public domain without the fault of the Executive; (iii) is known to the Executive prior to his receipt of such information from the Company; or (iv) is hereafter disclosed to the Executive by a third party not under an obligation of confidence to the Company. The Executive agrees not to remove from the premises of the Company, except as an employee of the Company in pursuit of the business of the Company or except as specifically permitted in writing by the Board, any document or other object containing or reflecting any such confidential information. The Executive recognizes that all such documents and objects, whether developed by him or by someone else, will be the sole exclusive property of the Company. Except as specifically authorized by the Board upon termination of his employment hereunder, the Executive shall forthwith deliver to the Company all such confidential information, including, without limitation, all lists of customers, correspondence, accounts, records and any other documents (whether or not electronically or digitally produced) or property made or held by him or under his control in relation to the business or affairs of the Company, and no copy of any such confidential information shall be retained by him.

        (e)    Severability.    It is expressly understood and agreed that, although the Executive and the Company consider the restrictions contained in this Section 9 to be reasonable, if a final judicial determination is made by a court of competent jurisdiction that the time or territory or any other

8



restriction contained in this Agreement is an unenforceable restriction against the Executive, the provisions of this Agreement shall not be rendered void, but shall be deemed amended to apply as to such maximum time and territory and to such maximum extent as such court may judicially determine or indicate to be enforceable. Alternatively, if any court of competent jurisdiction finds that any restriction contained in this Agreement is unenforceable, and such restriction cannot be amended so as to make it enforceable, such finding shall not affect the enforceability of any of the other restrictions contained herein.

        10.    Nondisparagement.    The Executive agrees (whether during or after the Executive's employment with the Company) not to issue, circulate, publish or utter any false or disparaging statements, remarks or rumors about the Company or its shareholders unless giving truthful testimony under subpoena. The Company agrees (whether during or after the Executive's employment with the Company) not to issue, circulate, publish or utter any false or disparaging statements, remarks or rumors about the Executive unless giving truthful testimony under subpoena. Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing in this Section 10 shall preclude either party from responding to correct false or disparaging statements, remarks or rumors.

        11.    Specific Performance.    The Executive acknowledges and agrees that the Company's remedies at law for a breach or threatened breach of any of the provisions of Section 9 or Section 10 above would be inadequate and, in recognition of this fact, the Executive agrees that, in the event of such a breach or threatened breach, in addition to any remedies at law, the Company, without posting any bond, shall be entitled to obtain equitable relief in the form of specific performance, temporary restraining order, temporary or permanent injunction or any other equitable remedy which may then be available.

        12.    Disputes.    Except as provided in Section 11 above, any future dispute, controversy or claim between the parties arising from or relating to this Agreement, its breach or any matter addressed by this Agreement shall be resolved through binding, confidential arbitration to be conducted by a panel of three arbitrators that is mutually agreeable to both the Executive and the Company, all in accordance with the arbitration rules of the American Arbitration Association set forth in its National Rules for the Resolution of Employment Disputes then in effect (the "AAA's Arbitration Rules"). If the Executive and the Company cannot agree upon the panel of arbitrators, the arbitration shall be settled before a panel of three arbitrators, one to be selected by the Company, one by the Executive and the third to be selected by the two persons so selected, all in accordance with the AAA's Arbitration Rules. The arbitration proceeding shall be held in New York City or such other location as is mutually agreed in writing by the parties. The arbitrators shall base their award on the terms of this Agreement, and the arbitrators shall strictly follow the law and judicial precedents that a United States District Judge sitting in the Southern District of the State of New York would apply in the event the dispute were litigated in such court. The arbitration shall be governed by the substantive laws of the State of New York applicable to contracts made and to be performed therein, and by the arbitration law chosen by the arbitrators, and the arbitrators shall have no power or authority to order or grant any remedy or relief that a court could not order or grant under applicable law. Judgment upon the award rendered by the arbitrators may be entered in any court having jurisdiction thereof. The Company shall bear the cost of the arbitrators. Costs and expenses associated with the arbitration that are not otherwise assignable to one of the parties shall be allocated equally between the parties. In every other respect, the parties shall each pay their own costs and expenses, including, without limitation, attorneys' fees and costs. Nothing contained in this Section 12 shall be construed to preclude the Company from exercising its rights under Section 11 above.

9



        13.    Miscellaneous.    

        (a)    Acceptance.    

        (b)    Entire Agreement; Amendments.    This Agreement contains the entire understanding of the parties with respect to the employment of the Executive by the Company and shall supersede any and all previous contracts, arrangements or understandings between the Company and the Executive with respect to the subject matter set forth herein, including, without limitation, the Term Sheet. There are no restrictions, agreements, promises, warranties, or covenants by and between the Company and the Executive and undertakings between the parties with respect to the subject matter herein other than those expressly set forth herein. This Agreement may not be altered, modified or amended except by written instrument signed by the parties hereto.

        (c)    No Waiver.    The failure of a party to insist upon strict adherence to any term of this Agreement on any occasion shall not be considered a waiver of such party's rights or deprive such party of the right thereafter to insist upon strict adherence to that term or any other term of this Agreement.

        (d)    Severability.    In the event that any one or more of the provisions of this Agreement shall be or become invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions of this Agreement shall not be affected thereby.

        (e)    Successor; Assignment.    This Agreement is confidential and personal and neither of the parties hereto shall, without the consent of the other, assign or transfer this Agreement or any rights or obligations hereunder. Without limiting the foregoing, the Executive's right to receive payments hereunder shall not be assignable or transferable whether by pledge, creation of a security interest or otherwise, other than a transfer by the Executive's will or by the laws of descent and distribution. In the event of any attempted assignment or transfer contrary to this Section 13(e), the Company shall have no liability to pay the assignee or transferee any amount so attempted to be assigned or transferred. The Company shall cause this Agreement to be assumed by any entity that succeeds to all

10



or substantially all of the Company's business or assets and this Agreement shall be binding upon any successor to all or substantially all of the Company's business or assets; provided, however, that no such assumption shall release the Company of its obligations hereunder, to the extent not satisfied by such successor, without the Executive's prior written consent.

        (f)    Confidentiality of Tax Treatment and Structure.    Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, each party and its representatives may consult any tax advisor regarding the tax treatment and tax structure of this Agreement and may disclose to any person, without limitation of any kind, the tax treatment and tax structure of this Agreement and all materials (including opinions or other tax analyses) that are provided relating to such treatment or structure.

        (g)    Notice.    For the purpose of this Agreement, notices and all other communications provided for in this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given when delivered or mailed by United States registered mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid, addressed to the respective addresses set forth on the execution page of this Agreement, provided that all notices to the Company shall be directed to the attention of the General Counsel or to such other address as either party may have furnished to the other in writing in accordance herewith, except that notice of change of address shall be effective only upon receipt:

        (h)    Withholding Taxes.    The Company may withhold from any amounts payable under this Agreement such federal, state and local taxes as may be required to be withheld pursuant to any applicable law or regulation.

        (i)    Counterparts.    This Agreement may be signed in counterparts, each of which shall be an original, with the same effect as if the signatures thereto and hereto were upon the same instrument.

        (j)    Governing Law.    This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York.

*            *            *

11


        IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have duly executed this Agreement as of the day and year first above written.

    EXECUTIVE

 

 

/s/  
ROBERT GREIFELD      
Robert Greifeld

 

 

THE NASDAQ STOCK MARKET, INC.

 

 

By:

/s/  
H. FURLONG BALDWIN      

 

 

Title:

Chairman of the Board


 

 

Date:

7/7/03



EXHIBIT A

THE NASDAQ STOCK MARKET, INC.
NONQUALIFIED STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT

        NONQUALIFIED STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT (the "Option Agreement") dated as of April 15, 2003 (the "Date of Grant"), between The Nasdaq Stock Market, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the "Company"), and Mr. Robert Greifeld (the "Optionee"):


R E C I T A L S:

        The Company and the Optionee have entered into an employment agreement effective as of May 12, 2003 (the "Agreement"). The terms of The Nasdaq Stock Market, Inc. Equity Incentive Plan (the "Plan") shall supplement this Option Agreement; provided, however, that the Option (as defined below) shall not be granted pursuant to the Plan. Capitalized terms not otherwise defined herein shall have the meaning ascribed to them in the Plan or the Agreement, where applicable, and, in the event of a conflict between the two, as indicated.

        The Management Compensation Committee of the Board (the "Committee") has determined that it is in the best interests of the Company and its shareholders to grant the Option provided for herein to the Optionee on the terms set forth herein as an inducement for the Optionee to agree to be employed by the Company and an increased incentive for the Optionee to contribute to the Company's future success and prosperity.

        NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants hereinafter set forth, the parties hereto agree as follows:

        1.    Grant of the Option.    Subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, the Company hereby grants to the Optionee an option (the "Option") to purchase all or any part of an aggregate of 1,000,000 Shares at a purchase price of $5.28 per share (the "Exercise Price"). The Option is intended to be a Non-Qualified Stock Option and not an Incentive Stock Option within the meaning of Section 422 of the Code.

        2.    Vesting.    Subject to Sections 4, 5 and 6 hereof, (i) 25% of the Option shall become exercisable as of the effective date of a registration statement filed by the Company on Form S-8 (or other appropriate form) and any other requisite state "blue sky" filings with respect to such Option, (ii) an aggregate of 50% of the Option shall be exercisable on the first anniversary of the Date of Grant, (iii) an aggregate of 75% of the Option shall be exercisable on the second anniversary of the Date of Grant and (iv) 100% of the Option shall be exercisable on the third anniversary of the Date of Grant. The Company hereby agrees to use all reasonable efforts to file the registration statement and any requisite "blue sky" filings promptly following the Effective Date. As used herein, "vested" Option shall mean that portion of the Option which (x) shall have become exercisable pursuant to the terms of this Option Agreement and (y) shall not have been previously exercised.

        3.    Exercise of the Option.    

        (a)   Subject to the provisions of this Option Agreement (including Section 4 hereof), the Optionee may exercise all or a portion of the vested Option at any time prior to the tenth anniversary of the Date of Grant (the "Expiration Date"); provided that the Option may be exercised with respect to whole Shares only; and provided further that the Option may not be exercised at any one time as to fewer than 100 Shares (or such number of Shares as to which the portion of the Option is then exercisable if such number is less than 100). In no event shall any portion of the Option be exercisable on or after the Expiration Date.

        (b)   In accordance with Section 3(a) hereof, the Option may be exercised by delivering to the Company a notice of intent to exercise. The Optionee shall deliver such notice by such method

A-1



(whether telephonic or written) as may be specified by the Committee from time to time. Such notice shall specify the number of Shares as to which the Option is being exercised and shall be accompanied by payment in full, or adequate provision therefor, of the Exercise Price and any applicable withholding tax. The payment of the Exercise Price shall be made (i) in cash, (ii) by certified check or bank draft payable to the order of the Company, (iii) by tendering Shares which have been owned by the Optionee for at least six months (and which are not subject to any pledge or other security interest), (iv) by having Shares with a Fair Market Value on the date of exercise equal to the Exercise Price sold by a broker-dealer or (v) by a combination of the foregoing, provided that the combined value of all cash and cash equivalents and the Fair Market Value of any such Shares so tendered to the Company as of the date of such tender or sold by a broker-dealer is at least equal to the Exercise Price. In the event that the broker-assisted cashless exercise procedure is elected, to the extent permitted by applicable law and the Committee, the Optionee shall be responsible for all broker fees. At the time of exercise of the Options, the Optionee shall pay such amount to the Company as the Company deems necessary to satisfy its obligation to withhold federal, state or local income or other taxes incurred by reason of such exercise or make such other arrangements as are acceptable to the Company, all in accordance with the provisions of Section 7 hereof.

        (c)   Notwithstanding any other provision of this Option Agreement to the contrary, no portion of the Option may be exercised prior to the completion of any registration or qualification of such Shares under applicable state and federal securities or other laws, or under any ruling or regulation of any government body, national securities exchange, or inter-dealer market system that the Committee shall in its sole discretion determine to be necessary or advisable.

        (d)   Upon the Company's determination that a portion of the Option has been validly exercised as to any of the Shares, the registrar for the Company will make an entry on its books and records evidencing that such Shares have been duly issued as of that date; provided, however, that the Optionee may, in the alternative, elect in writing prior thereto to receive a stock certificate representing the full number of Shares acquired, which certificate may bear a restrictive legend prohibiting the transfer of such Shares until certain conditions are met as required by law. The Company shall not be liable to the Optionee for damages relating to any delays in issuing the certificates or in the certificates themselves.

        4.    Termination of Employment.    

        (a)   In the event that the Company terminates the Optionee's employment with the Company for Cause or the Optionee terminates his employment with the Company without Good Reason (as each such term is defined under the Agreement), the unvested portion of the Option shall be deemed cancelled and forfeited on the Date of Termination (as such term is defined in the Agreement), and vested Options, if any, shall remain exercisable for a period ending on the earlier of: (i) ten days following such Date of Termination and (ii) the Expiration Date, and shall thereafter be deemed cancelled and forfeited without further consideration to the Optionee.

        (b)   In the event that (i) the Company terminates the Optionee's employment with the Company without Cause, (ii) the Optionee terminates his employment with the Company for Good Reason, or (iii) the Optionee's employment with the Company terminates by reason of death or Permanent Disability, any unvested portion of the Option that would otherwise have vested in the 12 months following the Date of Termination if the Executive's employment had not terminated shall vest as of the Date of Termination. The remaining portion of the unvested Option shall be deemed cancelled and forfeited without further consideration to the Optionee. The vested portion of the Option (including that portion of the Option which vests in accordance with the provisions of this Section 4(b)) shall remain exercisable for a period ending on the earlier of: (i) 24 months following such termination of employment and (ii) the Expiration Date, and shall thereafter be deemed cancelled and forfeited without further consideration to the Optionee (or to his estate, as the case may be); provided, however, that, in the event that the Optionee breaches in any material respect any of his obligations under

A-2



Section 9 or 10 of the Agreement, that portion of the Option which vested in accordance with the provisions of this Section 4(b) shall be deemed cancelled and forfeited without further consideration to the Optionee.

        (c)   If the Optionee's employment with the Company terminates by reason of Retirement, the portion of the Option that would have become vested on or before the first anniversary of the date of such termination on account of Retirement shall continue to vest as if such Optionee remained in the employ of the Company through the first anniversary of such termination. The remaining unvested portion of the Option shall be deemed cancelled and forfeited without further consideration to the Optionee. The vested portion of the Option (including that portion of the Option which vests in accordance with the provisions of this Section 4(c)) shall remain exercisable for a period ending on the earlier of: (i) 370 days following such termination of employment and (ii) the Expiration Date, and shall thereafter be deemed cancelled and forfeited without further consideration to the Optionee.

        (d)   If the Optionee's employment with the Company terminates by reason of delivery of a Non-Renewal Notice, any vested portion of the Option shall remain exercisable for a period ending on the earlier of: (i) 24 months following the Date of Termination and (ii) the Expiration Date, and shall thereafter be deemed cancelled and forfeited without further consideration to the Optionee. The remaining unvested portion of the Option shall be deemed cancelled and forfeited without further notice as of the Date of Termination.

        (e)   If the Optionee's employment with the Company terminates for any reason, the Company shall have the right and option (the "Repurchase Right"), but not the obligation, to purchase from the Optionee any and all of the Shares acquired upon exercise of the Options (the "Option Shares") on any date selected by the Company during the 30-day period commencing on the later of (i) the date of such termination of employment and (ii) the date which is six months following the date on which the Optionee exercised the applicable Options. The purchase price for the Option Shares (the "Repurchase Price") shall be the Fair Market Value of the Option Shares on the date the Company exercises its Repurchase Right. The Repurchase Right shall be exercised in accordance with the procedures set forth in Section 4(f) hereof.

        (f)    The Company may exercise the Repurchase Right (pursuant to Section 4(e)) by delivering or mailing to the Optionee (or his estate, if applicable) in accordance with Section 11 hereof written notice of exercise (a "Repurchase Notice"). The Repurchase Notice shall specify the date thereof, the number of Option Shares to be purchased and the aggregate Repurchase Price.

        (g)   Within ten days after the Optionee's receipt of the Repurchase Notice (or in the event of the Optionee's death or the termination of the Optionee's employment by the Company due to Permanent Disability, within 60 days after such receipt), the Optionee (or his estate, if applicable) shall tender to the Company at its principal offices (or at such other location or through such other party as specified in such notice) the certificate or certificates, if any, representing the Option Shares that the Company has elected to purchase, duly endorsed in blank, by the Optionee or with duly endorsed stock powers attached thereto, all in a form suitable for the transfer of such Option Shares to the Company. Upon its receipt of such Option Shares, the Company shall pay the Optionee the aggregate Repurchase Price. The aggregate Repurchase Price may be payable, at the option of the Company, in cancellation of all or a portion of any outstanding indebtedness of the Optionee to the Company or in cash (by check) or both.

        (h)   If the Company delivers a Repurchase Notice as to any Option Shares, then from and after the time of delivery of the Repurchase Notice (A) the Optionee shall no longer have any rights as a holder of such Option Shares (other than the right to receive payment of the Repurchase Price) and (B) such Option Shares shall be deemed purchased in accordance with the applicable provisions hereof and the Company shall be deemed to be the owner and holder of such Shares.

A-3



        (i)    Any Shares as to which the Repurchase Right is not exercised will remain subject to all the terms and conditions of this Option Agreement, including, to the extent applicable, the continuation of the Company's right to exercise the Repurchase Right.

        5.    No Right to Continued Employment; No Rights as a Shareholder.    This Option Agreement shall not confer on the Optionee any right to be retained in any position, as an employee, consultant or director of the Company. The Optionee shall not have any rights as a shareholder with respect to any Shares subject to an Option prior to the date of exercise of the Option.

        6.    Transferability.    

        (a)   Except as provided below, the Option (including any Restoration Option) is nontransferable and may not be assigned, alienated, pledged, attached, sold or otherwise transferred or encumbered by the Optionee, except by will or the laws of descent and distribution, and, upon any such transfer, by will or the laws of descent and distribution, the transferee shall hold such Option subject to all the terms and conditions that were applicable to the Option immediately prior to such transfer. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Optionee may transfer the vested portion of the Option to members of his or her immediate family (defined as his or her spouse, children or grandchildren) or to one or more trusts for the exclusive benefit of such immediate family members or partnerships in which such immediate family members are the only partners if the transfer is approved by the Committee and the Optionee does not receive any consideration for the transfer. Any such transferred portion of the Option shall continue to be subject to the same terms and conditions that were applicable to such portion of the Option immediately prior to transfer (except that such transferred Option shall not be further transferable by the transferee). No transfer of a portion of the Option shall be effective to bind the Company unless the Company shall have been furnished with written notice thereof and a copy of such evidence as the Committee may deem necessary to establish the validity of the transfer and the acceptance by the transferee of the terms and conditions hereof.

        (b)   The Company may elect, in its sole discretion, to restrict the Transfer (as defined below) of any Option Shares for a period of 180 days following the date on which a registration statement filed with the SEC in connection with an initial public offering of Shares of the Company is declared effective (the "IPO Effective Date") by giving written notice of such election to the Optionee at least ten days prior to the IPO Effective Date. For purposes of this Option Agreement, a "Transfer" means directly or indirectly offering, selling, gifting, pledging, assigning, transferring or otherwise disposing of the Option Shares.

        (c)   Upon any transfer by will or the laws of descent and distribution, such transferee shall take the Option Shares subject to all the terms and conditions that were applicable to the Option Shares immediately prior to such transfer. In order to comply with any applicable securities laws, the Optionee agrees that the Option Shares shall only be sold by the Optionee following registration under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or pursuant to an exemption therefrom.

        7.    Withholding.    The Optionee agrees to make appropriate arrangements with the Company for satisfaction of any applicable federal, state, local or foreign tax withholding requirements or like requirements, including the payment to the Company at the time of any exercise of the Option of all such taxes and requirements, and the Company shall have the right and is hereby authorized to withhold from the Shares transferable to the Optionee upon any exercise of the Option or from any other compensation or other amount owing to the Optionee such amount (in cash, Shares (having a Fair Market Value not in excess of the minimum amount required by law to be withheld), or other property, as the case may be) as may be necessary in the opinion of the Company to satisfy all such taxes, requirements and withholding obligations.

        8.    Securities Laws.    Upon the acquisition of any Shares pursuant to the exercise of the Option, the Optionee or the Optionee's transferee, if applicable, will make or enter into such written

A-4



representations, warranties and agreements as the Company may reasonably request in order to comply with applicable securities laws, with this Option Agreement, or as the Committee otherwise deems necessary or advisable. The Committee may require that the Optionee, as a condition of the exercise of an Option, execute a stockholders' agreement on terms and conditions substantially similar to those contained in stockholders' agreements of other senior executives of the Company.

        9.    Governing Law.    This Option Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware.

        10.    Amendments.    This Option Agreement may be amended or modified at any time by an instrument in writing signed by the parties hereto.

        11.    Notices.    Any notice, request, instruction or other document given under this Option Agreement shall be in writing and may be delivered by such method as may be permitted by the Company, and shall be addressed and delivered, in the case of the Company, to the Secretary of the Company at the principal office of the Company and, in the case of the Optionee, to the Optionee's address as shown in the records of the Company or to such other address as may be designated in writing (or by such other method approved by the Company) by either party.

        12.    Conflicts.    In the event of a conflict between any term or provision contained herein and a term or provision of the Agreement, the applicable terms and provisions of this Option Agreement will govern and prevail.

        13.    Severability.    The invalidity or unenforceability of any provision of this Option Agreement shall not affect the validity or enforceability of any other provision of this Option Agreement, and each other provision of the Option Agreement shall be severable and enforceable to the extent permitted by law.

        IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Option Agreement. By execution of this Option Agreement, the Optionee acknowledges receipt of a copy of the Plan.

    The Nasdaq Stock Market, Inc.

 

 


Optionee (Print Name)

 

 


Optionee Signature

A-5



EXHIBIT B


THE NASDAQ STOCK MARKET, INC.
NONQUALIFIED STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT

        NONQUALIFIED STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT (the "Agreement") dated as of June 11, 2003 (the "Date of Grant") between The Nasdaq Stock Market, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the "Company"), and Robert Greifeld (the "Optionee"):


R E C I T A L S:

        The Company and the Optionee have entered into an Employment Agreement effective as of May 12, 2003 (the "Agreement"). The Company has adopted The Nasdaq Stock Market, Inc. Equity Incentive Plan (the "Plan"), which Plan is incorporated herein by reference and made a part of this Agreement. Capitalized terms not otherwise defined herein shall have the meaning ascribed to them in the Plan or the Agreement, where applicable and, in the event of a conflict between the two, as indicated.

        The Management Compensation Committee of the Board (the "Committee") has determined that it is in the best interests of the Company and its shareholders to grant the option provided for herein to the Optionee pursuant to the Plan and the terms set forth herein as an increased incentive for the Optionee to contribute to the Company's future success and prosperity.

        NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants hereinafter set forth, the parties hereto agree as follows:

        1.    Grant of the Option.    Subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein and in the Plan (a complete copy of which, in effect as of the Date of Grant, has been made available to the Optionee), the Company hereby grants to the Optionee an option (the "Option") to purchase all or any part of an aggregate of 1,000,000 Shares at a purchase price of $6.30 per share (the "Exercise Price"). The Option is intended to be a Non-Qualified Stock Option and not an Incentive Stock Option within the meaning of Section 422 of the Code.

        2.    Vesting.    Subject to Sections 4, 5 and 6 hereof, (i) 25% of the Option shall become exercisable as of the Date of Grant, (ii) an aggregate of 50% of the Option shall be exercisable on the first anniversary of the Date of Grant, (iii) an aggregate of 75% of the Option shall be exercisable on the second anniversary of the Date of Grant and (iv) 100% of the Option shall be exercisable on the third anniversary of the Date of Grant. As used herein, "vested" Option shall mean that portion of the Option which (x) shall have become exercisable pursuant to the terms of this Agreement and (y) shall not have been previously exercised.

        3.    Exercise of the Options.    

        (a)   Subject to the provisions of this Option Agreement (including Section 4 hereof), the Optionee may exercise all or a portion of the vested Option at any time prior to the tenth anniversary of the Date of Grant (the "Expiration Date"); provided that the Option may be exercised with respect to whole Shares only; and provided further that the Option may not be exercised at any one time as to fewer than 100 Shares (or such number of Shares as to which the portion of the Option is then exercisable if such number is less than 100). In no event shall any portion of the Option be exercisable on or after the Expiration Date.

        (b)   In accordance with Section 3(a) hereof, the Option may be exercised by delivering to the Company a notice of intent to exercise. The Optionee shall deliver such notice by such method (whether telephonic or written) as may be specified by the Committee from time to time. Such notice shall specify the number of Shares as to which the Option is being exercised and shall be accompanied

B-1



by payment in full, or adequate provision therefor, of the Exercise Price and any applicable withholding tax. The payment of the Exercise Price shall be made (i) in cash, (ii) by certified check or bank draft payable to the order of the Company, (iii) by tendering Shares which have been owned by the Optionee for at least six months (and which are not subject to any pledge or other security interest), (iv) by having Shares with a Fair Market Value on the date of exercise equal to the Exercise Price sold by a broker-dealer or (v) by a combination of the foregoing, provided that the combined value of all cash and cash equivalents and the Fair Market Value of any such Shares so tendered to the Company as of the date of such tender or sold by a broker-dealer is at least equal to the Exercise Price. In the event that the broker-assisted cashless exercise procedure is elected, to the extent permitted by applicable law and the Committee, the Optionee shall be responsible for all broker fees. At the time of exercise of the Options, the Optionee shall pay such amount to the Company as the Company deems necessary to satisfy its obligation to withhold federal, state or local income or other taxes incurred by reason of such exercise or make such other arrangements as are acceptable to the Company, all in accordance with the provisions of Section 7 hereof.

        (c)   Notwithstanding any other provision of this Option Agreement to the contrary, no portion of the Option may be exercised prior to the completion of any registration or qualification of such Shares under applicable state and federal securities or other laws, or under any ruling or regulation of any government body, national securities exchange, or inter-dealer market system that the Committee shall in its sole discretion determine to be necessary or advisable.

        (d)   Upon the Company's determination that a portion of the Option has been validly exercised as to any of the Shares, the registrar for the Company will make an entry on its books and records evidencing that such Shares have been duly issued as of that date; provided, however, that the Optionee may, in the alternative, elect in writing prior thereto to receive a stock certificate representing the full number of Shares acquired, which certificate may bear a restrictive legend prohibiting the transfer of such Shares until certain conditions are met as required by law. The Company shall not be liable to the Optionee for damages relating to any delays in issuing the certificates or in the certificates themselves.

        4.    Termination of Employment.    

        (a)   In the event that the Company terminates the Optionee's employment with the Company for Cause or the Optionee terminates his employment with the Company without Good Reason (as each such term is defined under the Agreement), the unvested portion of the Option shall be deemed cancelled and forfeited on the Date of Termination (as such term is defined in the Agreement) and vested Options, if any, shall remain exercisable for a period ending on the earlier of: (i) ten days following such Date of Termination and (ii) the Expiration Date, and shall thereafter be deemed cancelled and forfeited without further consideration to the Optionee.

        (b)   In the event that (i) the Company terminates the Optionee's employment with the Company without Cause, (ii) the Optionee terminates his employment with the Company for Good Reason or (iii) the Optionee's employment with the Company terminates by reason of death or Permanent Disability, any unvested portion of the Option that would otherwise have vested in the 12 months following the Date of Termination if the Optionee's employment had not terminated shall vest as of the Date of Termination. The remaining portion of the unvested Option shall be deemed cancelled and forfeited without further consideration to the Optionee. The vested portion of the Option (including that portion of the Option which vests in accordance with the provisions of this Section 4(b)) shall remain exercisable for a period ending on the earlier of: (i) 24 months following such termination of employment and (ii) the Expiration Date, and shall thereafter be deemed cancelled and forfeited without further consideration to the Optionee (or to his estate, as the case may be); provided, however, in the event that the Optionee breaches in any material respect any of his obligations under Section 9 or 10 of the Agreement, that portion of the Option which vested in accordance with the provisions of

B-2



this Section 4(b) shall be deemed cancelled and forfeited without further consideration to the Optionee.

        (c)   If the Optionee's employment with the Company terminates by reason of Retirement, that portion of the Option that would have become vested on or before the first anniversary of the date of such termination on account of Retirement shall continue to vest as if such Optionee remained in the employ of the Company through the first anniversary of such termination. The remaining unvested portion of the Option shall be deemed cancelled and forfeited without further consideration to the Optionee. The vested portion of the Option (including that portion of the Option which vests in accordance with the provisions of this Section 4(c)) shall remain exercisable for a period ending on the earlier of: (i) 370 days following such termination of employment and (ii) the Expiration Date, and shall thereafter be deemed cancelled and forfeited without further consideration to the Optionee.

        (d)   If the Optionee's employment with the Company terminates by reason of delivery of a Non-Renewal Notice, any vested portion of the Option shall remain exercisable for a period ending on the earlier of: (i) 24 months following the Date of Termination and (ii) the Expiration Date, and shall thereafter be deemed cancelled and forfeited without further consideration to the Optionee. The remaining unvested portion of the Option shall be deemed cancelled and forfeited without further notice as of the Date of Termination.

        (e)   If the Optionee's employment with the Company terminates for any reason, the Company shall have the right and option (the "Repurchase Right"), but not the obligation, to purchase from the Optionee any and all of the Shares acquired upon exercise of the Options (the "Option Shares") on any date selected by the Company during the 30-day period commencing on the later of (i) the date of such termination of employment and (ii) the date which is six months following the date on which the Optionee exercised the applicable Options. The purchase price for the Option Shares (the "Repurchase Price") shall be the Fair Market Value of the Option Shares on the date the Company exercises its Repurchase Right. The Repurchase Right shall be exercised in accordance with the procedures set forth in Section 4(f) hereof.

        (f)    The Company may exercise the Repurchase Right (pursuant to Section 4(e)) by delivering or mailing to the Optionee (or his estate, if applicable), in accordance with Section 11 hereof, written notice of exercise (a "Repurchase Notice"). The Repurchase Notice shall specify the date thereof, the number of Option Shares to be purchased and the aggregate Repurchase Price.

        (g)   Within ten days after the Optionee's receipt of the Repurchase Notice (or in the event of the Optionee's death or the termination of the Optionee's employment by the Company due to Permanent Disability, within 60 days after such receipt), the Optionee (or his estate, if applicable) shall tender to the Company at its principal offices (or at such other location or through such other party as specified in such notice) the certificate or certificates, if any, representing the Option Shares that the Company has elected to purchase, duly endorsed in blank, by the Optionee or with duly endorsed stock powers attached thereto, all in a form suitable for the transfer of such Option Shares to the Company. Upon its receipt of such Option Shares, the Company shall pay the Optionee the aggregate Repurchase Price. The aggregate Repurchase Price may be payable, at the option of the Company, in cancellation of all or a portion of any outstanding indebtedness of the Optionee to the Company, or in cash (by check) or both.

        (h)   If the Company delivers a Repurchase Notice as to any Option Shares, then from and after the time of delivery of the Repurchase Notice (A) the Optionee shall no longer have any rights as a holder of such Option Shares (other than the right to receive payment of the Repurchase Price) and (B) such Option Shares shall be deemed purchased in accordance with the applicable provisions hereof and the Company shall be deemed to be the owner and holder of such Shares.

B-3



        (i)    Any Shares as to which the Repurchase Right is not exercised will remain subject to all the terms and conditions of this Option Agreement, including to the extent applicable the continuation of the Company's right to exercise the Repurchase Right.

        5.    No Right to Continued Employment; No Rights as a Shareholder.    This Option Agreement shall not confer on the Optionee any right to be retained, in any position, as an employee, consultant or director of the Company. The Optionee shall not have any rights as a shareholder with respect to any Shares subject to an Option prior to the date of exercise of the Option.

        6.    Transferability.    

        (a)   Except as provided below, the Option (including any Restoration Option) is nontransferable and may not be assigned, alienated, pledged, attached, sold or otherwise transferred or encumbered by the Optionee, except by will or the laws of descent and distribution, and upon any such transfer, by will or the laws of descent and distribution, the transferee shall hold such Option subject to all the terms and conditions that were applicable to the Option immediately prior to such transfer. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Optionee may transfer the vested portion of the Option to members of his or her immediate family (defined as his or her spouse, children or grandchildren) or to one or more trusts for the exclusive benefit of such immediate family members or partnerships in which such immediate family members are the only partners if the transfer is approved by the Committee and the Optionee does not receive any consideration for the transfer. Any such transferred portion of the Option shall continue to be subject to the same terms and conditions that were applicable to the portion of the Option immediately prior to transfer (except that such transferred Options shall not be further transferable by the transferee). No transfer of a portion of the Option shall be effective to bind the Company unless the Company shall have been furnished with written notice thereof and a copy of such evidence as the Committee may deem necessary to establish the validity of the transfer and the acceptance by the transferee of the terms and conditions hereof.

        (b)   The Company may elect, in its sole discretion, to restrict the Transfer (as defined below) of any Option Shares for a period of 180 days following the date on which a registration statement filed with the SEC in connection with an initial public offering of Shares of the Company is declared effective (the "IPO Effective Date") by giving written notice of such election to the Optionee at least ten days prior to the IPO Effective Date. For purposes of this Option Agreement, a "Transfer" means directly or indirectly offering, selling, gifting, pledging, assigning, transferring or otherwise disposing of the Option Shares.

        (c)   Upon any transfer by will or the laws of descent and distribution, such transferee shall take the Option Shares subject to all the terms and conditions that were applicable to the Option Shares immediately prior to such transfer. In order to comply with any applicable securities laws, the Optionee agrees that the Option Shares shall only be sold by the Optionee following registration under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or pursuant to an exemption therefrom.

        7.    Withholding.    The Optionee agrees to make appropriate arrangements with the Company for satisfaction of any applicable federal, state, local or foreign tax withholding requirements or like requirements, including the payment to the Company at the time of any exercise of the Option of all such taxes and requirements, and the Company shall have the right and is hereby authorized to withhold from the Shares transferable to the Optionee upon any exercise of the Option or from any other compensation or other amount owing to the Optionee such amount (in cash, Shares (having a Fair Market Value not in excess of the minimum amount required by law to be withheld), or other property, as the case may be) as may be necessary in the opinion of the Company to satisfy all such taxes, requirements and withholding obligations.

        8.    Securities Laws.    Upon the acquisition of any Shares pursuant to the exercise of the Option, the Optionee or the Optionee's transferee, if applicable, will make or enter into such written

B-4



representations, warranties and agreements as the Company may reasonably request in order to comply with applicable securities laws, with this Option Agreement, or as the Committee otherwise deems necessary or advisable. The Committee may require that the Optionee, as a condition of the exercise of an Option, execute a stockholders' agreement on terms and conditions substantially similar to those contained in stockholders' agreements of other senior executives of the Company.

        9.    Governing Law.    This Option Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware.

        10.    Amendments.    This Option Agreement may be amended or modified at any time by an instrument in writing signed by the parties hereto.

        11.    Notices.    Any notice, request, instruction or other document given under this Option Agreement shall be in writing and may be delivered by such method as may be permitted by the Company, and shall be addressed and delivered, in the case of the Company, to the Secretary of the Company at the principal office of the Company and, in the case of the Optionee, to the Optionee's address as shown in the records of the Company or to such other address as may be designated in writing (or by such other method approved by the Company) by either party.

        12.    Conflicts.    In the event of a conflict between any term or provision contained herein and a term or provision of the Plan, the applicable terms and provisions of this Option Agreement will govern and prevail.

        13.    Severability.    The invalidity or unenforceability of any provision of this Option Agreement shall not affect the validity or enforceability of any other provision of this Option Agreement, and each other provision of the Option Agreement shall be severable and enforceable to the extent permitted by law.

        IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Option Agreement. By execution of this Option Agreement, the Optionee acknowledges receipt of a copy of the Plan.

    The Nasdaq Stock Market, Inc.

 

 


Optionee (Print Name)

 

 


Optionee Signature

B-5



EXHIBIT C


THE NASDAQ STOCK MARKET, INC.
RESTRICTED STOCK AWARD AGREEMENT

        RESTRICTED STOCK AWARD AGREEMENT (this "Restricted Stock Agreement") dated as of June 11, 2003 between The Nasdaq Stock Market, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the "Company"), and Robert Greifeld (the "Participant"):


R E C I T A L S:

        The Company and the Participant have entered into an Employment Agreement effective as of May 12, 2003 (the "Agreement") pursuant to which the Company has agreed to grant the Participant Restricted Shares (as defined below), outside of The Nasdaq Stock Market, Inc. Equity Incentive Plan (the "Plan"). The terms of the Plan shall supplement this Restricted Stock Agreement; provided, however, that these Restricted Shares shall not be granted pursuant to the Plan. Capitalized terms not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings ascribed to them in the Plan and the Agreement, as applicable, and in the event of a conflict between the two, as indicated.

        The Committee has determined that it is in the best interests of the Company and its shareholders to grant the restricted stock award provided for herein to the Participant pursuant to the Plan and the terms set forth herein as an increased incentive for the Participant to contribute to the Company's future success and prosperity.

        NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants hereinafter set forth, the parties hereto agree as follows:

        1.    Grant of the Restricted Shares.    

        (a)   The Company hereby grants, as of the date hereof, to the Participant an Award (the "Award") of 100,000 Shares of restricted stock (the "Restricted Shares"), subject to the terms and conditions set forth in this Restricted Stock Agreement and the Plan. Subject to Section 3 hereof, the Restricted Shares shall be registered in the name of the Participant on the stock transfer books of the Company. However, any certificates issued with respect to Restricted Shares shall be held by the Company in escrow under the terms hereof, and unless the Company determines otherwise, no such certificates shall be issued prior to the date determined under Section 5(b) hereof. Any such certificates shall bear the legend set forth in Section 1(b) below or such other appropriate legend as the Committee shall determine, which legend shall be removed only on and after the date determined under Section 5(b) and if and when the Restricted Shares have become vested Restricted Shares (as defined in Section 2(a) hereof). As a condition to the issuance of Shares pursuant to this Award, the Participant shall deliver to the Company stock powers substantially in the form annexed hereto as Exhibit A, duly endorsed in blank. The Participant shall be entitled to vote all Restricted Shares, and shall be entitled to receive, free of all restrictions, ordinary cash dividends and dividends in the form of Shares thereon, if any. The Participant's right to receive any extraordinary dividends or other distributions with respect to Restricted Shares prior to their becoming vested Restricted Shares shall be at the sole discretion of the Committee, but in the event any such extraordinary dividends or distributions are paid to the holders of Company Shares, the Committee shall take such action as may be appropriate to preserve the value of, and prevent the unintended dimunition or enhancement of the value of, the Restricted Shares.

C-1



        (b)   Unless otherwise determined by the Committee, any certificate issued in respect of the Restricted Shares shall bear the following legend:

        2.    Vesting.    

        (a)   Except as otherwise provided in this Section 2 and Sections 3 and 4 hereof, and contingent upon the Participant's continued employment with the Company, the Restricted Shares shall vest and become non-forfeitable, in three equal annual installments on each of the first through the third anniversaries of the Effective Date of the Agreement. Any Restricted Shares that have become vested shall be referred to hereunder as "vested Restricted Shares."

        (b)   Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan or this Restricted Stock Agreement to the contrary, Restricted Shares (whether or not then vested) may not be transferred, assigned or otherwise encumbered other than in accordance with the applicable provisions of Section 5 hereof, prior to the completion of any registration or qualification of the Shares under applicable state and federal securities or other laws, or under any ruling or regulation of any government body, national securities exchange, or inter-dealer market system that the Committee shall in its sole discretion determine to be necessary or advisable.

        3.    Termination of Employment.    

        (a)   If (i) the Company terminates the Participant's employment with the Company for Cause or (ii) the Participant terminates his employment with the Company without Good Reason (as each such term is defined in the Agreement), all Restricted Shares which have not as of the Date of Termination (as such term is defined in the Agreement) become vested Restricted Shares shall be cancelled and forfeited, effective as of the Date of Termination, without further consideration to the Participant.

        (b)   In the event that the Participant's employment with the Company terminates without Cause, for Good Reason or by reason of death, Permanent Disability or Retirement, all Restricted Shares that would have become vested on or before the first anniversary of the Date of Termination (had the Participant continued in the employ of the Company) shall vest on the Date of Termination and the remaining unvested Restricted Shares shall be cancelled and forfeited without further consideration to the Participant.

        (c)   If the Participant's employment with the Company terminates by delivery of a Non-Renewal Notice by the Company, any then unvested Restricted Shares shall vest on the Date of Termination.

        (d)   If the Participant's employment terminates by delivery of a Non-Renewal Notice by the Participant, any then unvested Restricted Shares shall be cancelled as of the Date of Termination without further consideration to the Participant.

        (e)   If the Participant's employment with the Company terminates for any reason, the Company shall have the right and option (the "Repurchase Right"), but not the obligation, to purchase from the Participant any and all vested Restricted Shares, on any date selected by the Company during the 30-day period commencing on the later of (i) the date of such termination of employment and (ii) the date that is six months following the date such Restricted Shares became vested Restricted Shares. The purchase price for such vested Restricted Shares (the "Repurchase Price") shall be the Fair Market

C-2



Value of the vested Restricted Shares on the date the Company exercises its Repurchase Right. The Repurchase Right shall be exercised in accordance with the following procedures:

        4.    No Right to Continued Employment.    Neither the Plan nor this Restricted Stock Agreement shall confer on the Participant any right to be retained, in any position, as an employee, consultant or director of the Company.

        5.    Transferability.    

        (a)   The Restricted Shares may not, at any time prior to becoming vested Restricted Shares, be transferable and may not be sold, assigned, transferred, disposed of, pledged or otherwise encumbered by the Participant, other than by will or the laws of descent and distribution. Upon such transfer (by will or the laws of descent and distribution), such transferee in interest shall take the rights granted herein subject to all the terms and conditions hereof.

        (b)   Notwithstanding any other provision of this Restricted Stock Agreement to the contrary, the Company may elect, in its sole discretion, to restrict the Transfer (as defined below) of any vested Restricted Shares for a period of 180 days following the date on which a registration statement filed with the SEC in connection with an initial public offering of Shares of the Company is declared effective (the "IPO Effective Date") by giving written notice of such election to the Participant at least ten days prior to the IPO Effective Date. For purposes of this Restricted Agreement, a "Transfer" means directly or indirectly offering, selling, gifting, pledging, assigning, transferring or otherwise disposing of the vested Restricted Shares.

C-3



        (c)   Subject to Section 5(b) hereof, in order to comply with any applicable securities laws, the Participant agrees that the Restricted Shares shall only be sold by the Participant following registration of the Shares under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or pursuant to an exemption therefrom.

        6.    Withholding.    The Participant shall pay to the Company promptly upon request, and in any event at the time the Participant recognizes taxable income in respect of the Restricted Shares, an amount equal to the taxes the Company determines it is required to withhold under applicable tax laws with respect to the Restricted Shares. Such payment shall be made in the form of cash, Shares already owned for at least six months, delivering to the Company a portion of the Restricted Shares sufficient to satisfy the minimum withholding required with respect thereto to the extent permitted by the Company, or in a combination of such methods, as irrevocably elected by the Participant prior to the applicable tax due date with respect to such Restricted Shares. The Participant shall promptly notify the Company of any election made pursuant to Section 83(b) of the Code and shall provide the Company with a copy of such election. The Participant shall be solely responsible for properly and timely completing and filing any such election.

        7.    Governing Law.    This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware.

        8.    Amendments.    This Restricted Stock Agreement may be amended or modified at any time by an instrument in writing signed by the parties hereto.

        9.    Notices.    Any notice, request, instruction or other document given under this Restricted Stock Agreement shall be in writing and may be delivered by such method as may be permitted by the Company, and shall be addressed and delivered, in the case of the Company, to the Secretary of the Company at the principal office of the Company and, in the case of the Participant, to the Participant's address as shown in the records of the Company or to such other address as may be designated in writing (or by such other method approved by the Company) by either party.

        10.    Severability.    The invalidity or unenforceability of any provision of this Restricted Stock Agreement shall not affect the validity or enforceability of any other provision of this Restricted Stock Agreement, and each other provision of the Restricted Stock Agreement shall be severable and enforceable to the extent permitted by law.

        11.    Conflict.    In the event of a conflict between any term or provision contained herein and a term or provision of the Agreement, the applicable terms and provisions of this Restricted Stock Agreement will govern and prevail.

        IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Restricted Stock Agreement. By execution of this Restricted Stock Agreement, the Participant acknowledges receipt of a copy of the Plan.

    The Nasdaq Stock Market, Inc.

 

 


Participant (Print Name)

 

 


Participant Signature

C-4



Exhibit A
to Restricted
Stock Agreement

STOCK POWER

        For value received, I hereby sell, assign and transfer unto                                    shares of the Common Stock of The Nasdaq Stock Market, Inc.                         standing in my name on the books of said Corporation represented by Certificate(s) Number(s)                         herewith, and do hereby irrevocably constitute and appoint                         attorney to transfer the said stock on the books of said Corporation with full power of substitution in the premises.

Date:  
   

Printed Name:

 



 

 

Social Security Number:

 



 

 

Signature:

 



 

 

Witness Signature:

 



 

 

C-5



EXHIBIT D


Form of Release

        I, Robert Greifeld, hereby understand and agree to the terms of this release (the "Release") in consideration for certain obligations undertaken by the Company under the Employment Agreement between me and the Company, effective as of May 12, 2003 (the "Agreement"). Capitalized terms used, but not defined, in this Release will have the meanings assigned to such terms in the Agreement.

        (a)    General Release.    In consideration of my receipt of the payments and benefits provided to me under the Agreement, I hereby release and forever discharge the Company and its respective employees, officers, directors, shareholders and agents (each, a "Released Party") from any and all claims, actions, causes of action, complaints, charges and grievances (collectively, "Claims"), including, without limitation, any Claims arising under any applicable federal, state, local or foreign law, that I may have, or in the future may possess, arising from or relating to (i) my employment relationship with and service as an employee of any member of the Company and the termination of such relationship or service, and (ii) any event, condition, circumstance or obligation that occurred, existed or arose on or prior to the date hereof; provided, however, that I retain my rights, if any, (x) to seek indemnification from the Company for any and all costs incurred by me as a result of any liability imposed in connection with my service as an employee, officer or director of the Company or (y) arising under the Agreement. I further agree that my receipt of the payments and benefits described in the Agreement will be in full satisfaction of any and all Claims for payments or benefits that I may have against the Company.

        (b)    Specific Release of ADEA Claims.    In consideration of my receipt of the payments and benefits provided to me under this Agreement, I hereby release and forever discharge each Released Party from any and all Claims that I may have as of the date of this Release arising under the Federal Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967, as amended, and the applicable rules and regulations promulgated thereunder ("ADEA"). By signing this Release, I hereby acknowledge and confirm the following: (i) I was advised by the Company in connection with my termination of employment to consult with an attorney of my choice prior to signing this Release and to have such attorney explain to me the terms of this Release, including, without limitation, the terms relating to my release of claims arising under ADEA; (ii) I have been given a period of not fewer than [21] days to consider the terms of this Release and to consult with an attorney of my choosing with respect thereto; (iii) I am providing the release and discharge set forth in this paragraph (b) in exchange for the consideration provided by the Agreement; and (iv) I have knowingly and voluntarily accepted the terms of this Release.

        (c)    No Legal Claim.    I hereby agree and represent that I have not commenced or joined and will not commence or join any legal action, including, without limitation, any complaint to any federal, state or local agency, to assert any Claim against any Released Party. If I commence or join any such legal action against a Released Party, I will indemnify such Released Party for its reasonable costs and attorneys' fees incurred in defending such action, as well as for any monetary judgment obtained by me against any Released Party in such action. Nothing in this paragraph (c) is intended to reflect any party's belief that my waiver of Claims under ADEA is invalid or unenforceable under this Agreement, it being the intent of the parties that such Claims are waived.

        (d)    Revocation.    I hereby understand and acknowledge that this Release may be revoked by me within the seven-day period commencing on the date that I sign this Release (the "Revocation Period"). In the event of any such revocation by me, all obligations of the Company remaining under the Agreement will terminate and be of no further force and effect as of the date of such revocation. No such revocation by me will be effective unless it is in writing and signed by me and received by the Company prior to the expiration of the Revocation Period.

ACCEPTED AND AGREED:

Robert Greifeld

Dated:  
   

D-1




QuickLinks

EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
THE NASDAQ STOCK MARKET, INC. NONQUALIFIED STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT
R E C I T A L S
THE NASDAQ STOCK MARKET, INC. NONQUALIFIED STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT
R E C I T A L S
THE NASDAQ STOCK MARKET, INC. RESTRICTED STOCK AWARD AGREEMENT
R E C I T A L S
STOCK POWER
Form of Release

QuickLinks -- Click here to rapidly navigate through this document


Exhibit 5.1

[SHEARMAN & STERLING LLP LETTERHEAD]

July 10, 2003

The Nasdaq Stock Market, Inc.
One Liberty Plaza
New York, NY 10006

Ladies and Gentlemen:

        We have acted as counsel for The Nasdaq Stock Market, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the "Company"), in connection with the Registration Statement on Form S-8 (the "Registration Statement") of the Company filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), with respect to 1,100,000 shares (the "Shares") of common stock, par value $.01 per share, of the Company (the "Common Stock"), to be issued from time to time pursuant to the Employment Agreement between the Company and Mr. Robert Greifeld (the "Agreement").

        In so acting, we have examined the Registration Statement and we have also examined and relied as to factual matters upon the representations and warranties contained in originals, or copies certified or otherwise identified to our satisfaction, of such documents, records, certificates and other instruments as in our judgment are necessary or appropriate to enable us to render the opinion expressed below. In such examination, we have assumed the genuineness of all signatures, the authenticity of all documents, certificates and instruments submitted to us as originals and the conformity with originals of all documents submitted to us as copies.

        The opinion expressed below is limited to the General Corporation Law of Delaware, and we do not express any opinion herein concerning any other law.

        Based upon the foregoing and having regard for such legal considerations as we have deemed relevant, we are of the opinion that the Shares have been duly authorized by the Company and, when issued and delivered by the Company in accordance with terms of the Agreement, the Shares will be validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable.

        We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the Registration Statement.

    Very truly yours,

 

 

/s/ SHEARMAN & STERLING LLP

 

 

Shearman & Sterling LLP



QuickLinks


QuickLinks -- Click here to rapidly navigate through this document


Exhibit 23.1

[ERNST & YOUNG LETTERHEAD]


CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS

        We consent to the reference to our firm under the caption "Experts" in the Registration Statement (Form S-8 No. 33-xxxxx) pertaining to the Employee Agreement with Robert Greifeld of The Nasdaq Stock Market, Inc. and to the incorporation by reference therein of our report dated March 10, 2003, with respect to the consolidated financial statements and schedules of The Nasdaq Stock Market, Inc. included in its Annual Report (Form 10-K) for the year ended December 31, 2002, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

/s/ ERNST & YOUNG LLP

New York, New York
July 3, 2003




QuickLinks

CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS

POWER OF ATTORNEY
REGISTRATION STATEMENT ON FORM S-8
THE NASDAQ STOCK MARKET, INC.

KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that the undersigned, a director of The Nasdaq Stock Market, Inc., a Delaware corporation ("the Company"), does hereby Constitute and appoint Edward S. Knight and Joan C. Conley, and each of them, the true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents of the undersigned, to do or cause to be done any and all acts and things and to execute any and all instruments and documents which said attorneys-in-fact and agents, or any of them, may deem advisable or necessary to enable the Company to comply with the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), and any rules, regulations and requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission in respect thereof, in connection with the registration of the securities of the Company being registered on the Registration Statement on Form S-8 to which this power of attorney is filed as an exhibit (the "Securities"), including specifically, but without limiting the generality of the foregoing, power and authority to sign, in the name and on behalf of the undersigned as a director of the Company, the Registration Statement on Form S-8 to which this power of attorney is filed as an exhibit, a Registration Statement under Rule 462(b) of the Securities Act, or another appropriate form in respect of the registration of the Securities, and any and all amendments thereto, including post-effective amendments, and any instruments, prospectuses, contracts, documents or other writings of which the originals or copies thereof are to be filed as a part of, or in connection with, any such Registration Statement or amendments, and to file or cause to be filed the same with the Securities and Exchange Commission, and to effect any and all applications and other instruments in the name and on behalf of the undersigned which said attorneys-in-fact and agents, or any of them, deem advisable in order to qualify or register the Securities under the securities laws of any of the several States; and the undersigned does hereby ratify all that said attorneys-in-fact or agents, or any of them, shall do or cause to be done by virtue thereof.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has caused this Power of Attorney to be executed as of June 13, 2003.

/s/  H. FURLONG BALDWIN      
(signature)
 

H. Furlong Baldwin

(printed name)

 

POWER OF ATTORNEY
REGISTRATION STATEMENT ON FORM S-8
THE NASDAQ STOCK MARKET, INC.

KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that the undersigned, a director of The Nasdaq Stock Market, Inc., a Delaware corporation ("the Company"), does hereby Constitute and appoint Edward S. Knight and Joan C. Conley, and each of them, the true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents of the undersigned, to do or cause to be done any and all acts and things and to execute any and all instruments and documents which said attorneys-in-fact and agents, or any of them, may deem advisable or necessary to enable the Company to comply with the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), and any rules, regulations and requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission in respect thereof, in connection with the registration of the securities of the Company being registered on the Registration Statement on Form S-8 to which this power of attorney is filed as an exhibit (the "Securities"), including specifically, but without limiting the generality of the foregoing, power and authority to sign, in the name and on behalf of the undersigned as a director of the Company, the Registration Statement on Form S-8 to which this power of attorney is filed as an exhibit, a Registration Statement under Rule 462(b) of the Securities Act, or another appropriate form in respect of the registration of the Securities, and any and all amendments thereto, including post-effective amendments, and any instruments, prospectuses, contracts, documents or other writings of which the originals or copies thereof are to be filed as a part of, or in connection with, any such Registration Statement or amendments, and to file or cause to be filed the same with the Securities and Exchange Commission, and to effect any and all applications and other instruments in the name and on behalf of the undersigned which said attorneys-in-fact and agents, or any of them, deem advisable in order to qualify or register the Securities under the securities laws of any of the several States; and the undersigned does hereby ratify all that said attorneys-in-fact or agents, or any of them, shall do or cause to be done by virtue thereof.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has caused this Power of Attorney to be executed as of June 11, 2003.

/s/  FRANK E. BAXTER      
(signature)
 

Frank E. Baxter

(printed name)

 

POWER OF ATTORNEY
REGISTRATION STATEMENT ON FORM S-8
THE NASDAQ STOCK MARKET, INC.

KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that the undersigned, a director of The Nasdaq Stock Market, Inc., a Delaware corporation ("the Company"), does hereby Constitute and appoint Edward S. Knight and Joan C. Conley, and each of them, the true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents of the undersigned, to do or cause to be done any and all acts and things and to execute any and all instruments and documents which said attorneys-in-fact and agents, or any of them, may deem advisable or necessary to enable the Company to comply with the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), and any rules, regulations and requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission in respect thereof, in connection with the registration of the securities of the Company being registered on the Registration Statement on Form S-8 to which this power of attorney is filed as an exhibit (the "Securities"), including specifically, but without limiting the generality of the foregoing, power and authority to sign, in the name and on behalf of the undersigned as a director of the Company, the Registration Statement on Form S-8 to which this power of attorney is filed as an exhibit, a Registration Statement under Rule 462(b) of the Securities Act, or another appropriate form in respect of the registration of the Securities, and any and all amendments thereto, including post-effective amendments, and any instruments, prospectuses, contracts, documents or other writings of which the originals or copies thereof are to be filed as a part of, or in connection with, any such Registration Statement or amendments, and to file or cause to be filed the same with the Securities and Exchange Commission, and to effect any and all applications and other instruments in the name and on behalf of the undersigned which said attorneys-in-fact and agents, or any of them, deem advisable in order to qualify or register the Securities under the securities laws of any of the several States; and the undersigned does hereby ratify all that said attorneys-in-fact or agents, or any of them, shall do or cause to be done by virtue thereof.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has caused this Power of Attorney to be executed as of June 14, 2003.

/s/  MICHAEL CASEY      
(signature)
 

Michael Casey

(printed name)

 

POWER OF ATTORNEY
REGISTRATION STATEMENT ON FORM S-8
THE NASDAQ STOCK MARKET, INC.

KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that the undersigned, a director of The Nasdaq Stock Market, Inc., a Delaware corporation ("the Company"), does hereby Constitute and appoint Edward S. Knight and Joan C. Conley, and each of them, the true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents of the undersigned, to do or cause to be done any and all acts and things and to execute any and all instruments and documents which said attorneys-in-fact and agents, or any of them, may deem advisable or necessary to enable the Company to comply with the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), and any rules, regulations and requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission in respect thereof, in connection with the registration of the securities of the Company being registered on the Registration Statement on Form S-8 to which this power of attorney is filed as an exhibit (the "Securities"), including specifically, but without limiting the generality of the foregoing, power and authority to sign, in the name and on behalf of the undersigned as a director of the Company, the Registration Statement on Form S-8 to which this power of attorney is filed as an exhibit, a Registration Statement under Rule 462(b) of the Securities Act, or another appropriate form in respect of the registration of the Securities, and any and all amendments thereto, including post-effective amendments, and any instruments, prospectuses, contracts, documents or other writings of which the originals or copies thereof are to be filed as a part of, or in connection with, any such Registration Statement or amendments, and to file or cause to be filed the same with the Securities and Exchange Commission, and to effect any and all applications and other instruments in the name and on behalf of the undersigned which said attorneys-in-fact and agents, or any of them, deem advisable in order to qualify or register the Securities under the securities laws of any of the several States; and the undersigned does hereby ratify all that said attorneys-in-fact or agents, or any of them, shall do or cause to be done by virtue thereof.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has caused this Power of Attorney to be executed as of June 11, 2003.

/s/  MICHAEL W. CLARK      
(signature)
 

Michael W. Clark

(printed name)

 

POWER OF ATTORNEY
REGISTRATION STATEMENT ON FORM S-8
THE NASDAQ STOCK MARKET, INC.

KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that the undersigned, a director of The Nasdaq Stock Market, Inc., a Delaware corporation ("the Company"), does hereby Constitute and appoint Edward S. Knight and Joan C. Conley, and each of them, the true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents of the undersigned, to do or cause to be done any and all acts and things and to execute any and all instruments and documents which said attorneys-in-fact and agents, or any of them, may deem advisable or necessary to enable the Company to comply with the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), and any rules, regulations and requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission in respect thereof, in connection with the registration of the securities of the Company being registered on the Registration Statement on Form S-8 to which this power of attorney is filed as an exhibit (the "Securities"), including specifically, but without limiting the generality of the foregoing, power and authority to sign, in the name and on behalf of the undersigned as a director of the Company, the Registration Statement on Form S-8 to which this power of attorney is filed as an exhibit, a Registration Statement under Rule 462(b) of the Securities Act, or another appropriate form in respect of the registration of the Securities, and any and all amendments thereto, including post-effective amendments, and any instruments, prospectuses, contracts, documents or other writings of which the originals or copies thereof are to be filed as a part of, or in connection with, any such Registration Statement or amendments, and to file or cause to be filed the same with the Securities and Exchange Commission, and to effect any and all applications and other instruments in the name and on behalf of the undersigned which said attorneys-in-fact and agents, or any of them, deem advisable in order to qualify or register the Securities under the securities laws of any of the several States; and the undersigned does hereby ratify all that said attorneys-in-fact or agents, or any of them, shall do or cause to be done by virtue thereof.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has caused this Power of Attorney to be executed as of June 12, 2003.

/s/  WILLIAM S. COHEN      
(signature)
 

William S. Cohen

(printed name)

 

POWER OF ATTORNEY
REGISTRATION STATEMENT ON FORM S-8
THE NASDAQ STOCK MARKET, INC.

KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that the undersigned, a director of The Nasdaq Stock Market, Inc., a Delaware corporation ("the Company"), does hereby Constitute and appoint Edward S. Knight and Joan C. Conley, and each of them, the true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents of the undersigned, to do or cause to be done any and all acts and things and to execute any and all instruments and documents which said attorneys-in-fact and agents, or any of them, may deem advisable or necessary to enable the Company to comply with the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), and any rules, regulations and requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission in respect thereof, in connection with the registration of the securities of the Company being registered on the Registration Statement on Form S-8 to which this power of attorney is filed as an exhibit (the "Securities"), including specifically, but without limiting the generality of the foregoing, power and authority to sign, in the name and on behalf of the undersigned as a director of the Company, the Registration Statement on Form S-8 to which this power of attorney is filed as an exhibit, a Registration Statement under Rule 462(b) of the Securities Act, or another appropriate form in respect of the registration of the Securities, and any and all amendments thereto, including post-effective amendments, and any instruments, prospectuses, contracts, documents or other writings of which the originals or copies thereof are to be filed as a part of, or in connection with, any such Registration Statement or amendments, and to file or cause to be filed the same with the Securities and Exchange Commission, and to effect any and all applications and other instruments in the name and on behalf of the undersigned which said attorneys-in-fact and agents, or any of them, deem advisable in order to qualify or register the Securities under the securities laws of any of the several States; and the undersigned does hereby ratify all that said attorneys-in-fact or agents, or any of them, shall do or cause to be done by virtue thereof.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has caused this Power of Attorney to be executed as of June 12, 2003.

/s/  LON GORMAN      
(signature)
 

Lon Gorman

(printed name)

 

POWER OF ATTORNEY
REGISTRATION STATEMENT ON FORM S-8
THE NASDAQ STOCK MARKET, INC.

KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that the undersigned, a director of The Nasdaq Stock Market, Inc., a Delaware corporation ("the Company"), does hereby Constitute and appoint Edward S. Knight and Joan C. Conley, and each of them, the true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents of the undersigned, to do or cause to be done any and all acts and things and to execute any and all instruments and documents which said attorneys-in-fact and agents, or any of them, may deem advisable or necessary to enable the Company to comply with the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), and any rules, regulations and requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission in respect thereof, in connection with the registration of the securities of the Company being registered on the Registration Statement on Form S-8 to which this power of attorney is filed as an exhibit (the "Securities"), including specifically, but without limiting the generality of the foregoing, power and authority to sign, in the name and on behalf of the undersigned as a director of the Company, the Registration Statement on Form S-8 to which this power of attorney is filed as an exhibit, a Registration Statement under Rule 462(b) of the Securities Act, or another appropriate form in respect of the registration of the Securities, and any and all amendments thereto, including post-effective amendments, and any instruments, prospectuses, contracts, documents or other writings of which the originals or copies thereof are to be filed as a part of, or in connection with, any such Registration Statement or amendments, and to file or cause to be filed the same with the Securities and Exchange Commission, and to effect any and all applications and other instruments in the name and on behalf of the undersigned which said attorneys-in-fact and agents, or any of them, deem advisable in order to qualify or register the Securities under the securities laws of any of the several States; and the undersigned does hereby ratify all that said attorneys-in-fact or agents, or any of them, shall do or cause to be done by virtue thereof.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has caused this Power of Attorney to be executed as of June 12, 2003.

/s/  JOHN P. HAVENS      
(signature)
 


(printed name)

 

POWER OF ATTORNEY
REGISTRATION STATEMENT ON FORM S-8
THE NASDAQ STOCK MARKET, INC.

KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that the undersigned, a director of The Nasdaq Stock Market, Inc., a Delaware corporation ("the Company"), does hereby Constitute and appoint Edward S. Knight and Joan C. Conley, and each of them, the true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents of the undersigned, to do or cause to be done any and all acts and things and to execute any and all instruments and documents which said attorneys-in-fact and agents, or any of them, may deem advisable or necessary to enable the Company to comply with the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), and any rules, regulations and requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission in respect thereof, in connection with the registration of the securities of the Company being registered on the Registration Statement on Form S-8 to which this power of attorney is filed as an exhibit (the "Securities"), including specifically, but without limiting the generality of the foregoing, power and authority to sign, in the name and on behalf of the undersigned as a director of the Company, the Registration Statement on Form S-8 to which this power of attorney is filed as an exhibit, a Registration Statement under Rule 462(b) of the Securities Act, or another appropriate form in respect of the registration of the Securities, and any and all amendments thereto, including post-effective amendments, and any instruments, prospectuses, contracts, documents or other writings of which the originals or copies thereof are to be filed as a part of, or in connection with, any such Registration Statement or amendments, and to file or cause to be filed the same with the Securities and Exchange Commission, and to effect any and all applications and other instruments in the name and on behalf of the undersigned which said attorneys-in-fact and agents, or any of them, deem advisable in order to qualify or register the Securities under the securities laws of any of the several States; and the undersigned does hereby ratify all that said attorneys-in-fact or agents, or any of them, shall do or cause to be done by virtue thereof.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has caused this Power of Attorney to be executed as of June 12, 2003.

/s/  F. WARREN HELLMAN      
(signature)
 

F. Warren Hellman

(printed name)

 

POWER OF ATTORNEY
REGISTRATION STATEMENT ON FORM S-8
THE NASDAQ STOCK MARKET, INC.

KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that the undersigned, a director of The Nasdaq Stock Market, Inc., a Delaware corporation ("the Company"), does hereby Constitute and appoint Edward S. Knight and Joan C. Conley, and each of them, the true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents of the undersigned, to do or cause to be done any and all acts and things and to execute any and all instruments and documents which said attorneys-in-fact and agents, or any of them, may deem advisable or necessary to enable the Company to comply with the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), and any rules, regulations and requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission in respect thereof, in connection with the registration of the securities of the Company being registered on the Registration Statement on Form S-8 to which this power of attorney is filed as an exhibit (the "Securities"), including specifically, but without limiting the generality of the foregoing, power and authority to sign, in the name and on behalf of the undersigned as a director of the Company, the Registration Statement on Form S-8 to which this power of attorney is filed as an exhibit, a Registration Statement under Rule 462(b) of the Securities Act, or another appropriate form in respect of the registration of the Securities, and any and all amendments thereto, including post-effective amendments, and any instruments, prospectuses, contracts, documents or other writings of which the originals or copies thereof are to be filed as a part of, or in connection with, any such Registration Statement or amendments, and to file or cause to be filed the same with the Securities and Exchange Commission, and to effect any and all applications and other instruments in the name and on behalf of the undersigned which said attorneys-in-fact and agents, or any of them, deem advisable in order to qualify or register the Securities under the securities laws of any of the several States; and the undersigned does hereby ratify all that said attorneys-in-fact or agents, or any of them, shall do or cause to be done by virtue thereof.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has caused this Power of Attorney to be executed as of June 12, 2003.

/s/  THOMAS JOYCE      
(signature)
 

Thomas Joyce

(printed name)

 

POWER OF ATTORNEY
REGISTRATION STATEMENT ON FORM S-8
THE NASDAQ STOCK MARKET, INC.

KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that the undersigned, a director of The Nasdaq Stock Market, Inc., a Delaware corporation ("the Company"), does hereby Constitute and appoint Edward S. Knight and Joan C. Conley, and each of them, the true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents of the undersigned, to do or cause to be done any and all acts and things and to execute any and all instruments and documents which said attorneys-in-fact and agents, or any of them, may deem advisable or necessary to enable the Company to comply with the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), and any rules, regulations and requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission in respect thereof, in connection with the registration of the securities of the Company being registered on the Registration Statement on Form S-8 to which this power of attorney is filed as an exhibit (the "Securities"), including specifically, but without limiting the generality of the foregoing, power and authority to sign, in the name and on behalf of the undersigned as a director of the Company, the Registration Statement on Form S-8 to which this power of attorney is filed as an exhibit, a Registration Statement under Rule 462(b) of the Securities Act, or another appropriate form in respect of the registration of the Securities, and any and all amendments thereto, including post-effective amendments, and any instruments, prospectuses, contracts, documents or other writings of which the originals or copies thereof are to be filed as a part of, or in connection with, any such Registration Statement or amendments, and to file or cause to be filed the same with the Securities and Exchange Commission, and to effect any and all applications and other instruments in the name and on behalf of the undersigned which said attorneys-in-fact and agents, or any of them, deem advisable in order to qualify or register the Securities under the securities laws of any of the several States; and the undersigned does hereby ratify all that said attorneys-in-fact or agents, or any of them, shall do or cause to be done by virtue thereof.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has caused this Power of Attorney to be executed as of June 10, 2003.

/s/  JOHN D. MARKESE      
(signature)
 

John D. Markese

(printed name)

 

POWER OF ATTORNEY
REGISTRATION STATEMENT ON FORM S-8
THE NASDAQ STOCK MARKET, INC.

KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that the undersigned, a director of The Nasdaq Stock Market, Inc., a Delaware corporation ("the Company"), does hereby Constitute and appoint Edward S. Knight and Joan C. Conley, and each of them, the true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents of the undersigned, to do or cause to be done any and all acts and things and to execute any and all instruments and documents which said attorneys-in-fact and agents, or any of them, may deem advisable or necessary to enable the Company to comply with the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), and any rules, regulations and requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission in respect thereof, in connection with the registration of the securities of the Company being registered on the Registration Statement on Form S-8 to which this power of attorney is filed as an exhibit (the "Securities"), including specifically, but without limiting the generality of the foregoing, power and authority to sign, in the name and on behalf of the undersigned as a director of the Company, the Registration Statement on Form S-8 to which this power of attorney is filed as an exhibit, a Registration Statement under Rule 462(b) of the Securities Act, or another appropriate form in respect of the registration of the Securities, and any and all amendments thereto, including post-effective amendments, and any instruments, prospectuses, contracts, documents or other writings of which the originals or copies thereof are to be filed as a part of, or in connection with, any such Registration Statement or amendments, and to file or cause to be filed the same with the Securities and Exchange Commission, and to effect any and all applications and other instruments in the name and on behalf of the undersigned which said attorneys-in-fact and agents, or any of them, deem advisable in order to qualify or register the Securities under the securities laws of any of the several States; and the undersigned does hereby ratify all that said attorneys-in-fact or agents, or any of them, shall do or cause to be done by virtue thereof.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has caused this Power of Attorney to be executed as of June 12, 2003.

/s/  THOMAS F. O'NEILL      
(signature)
 

Thomas F. O'Neill

(printed name)

 

POWER OF ATTORNEY
REGISTRATION STATEMENT ON FORM S-8
THE NASDAQ STOCK MARKET, INC.

KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that the undersigned, a director of The Nasdaq Stock Market, Inc., a Delaware corporation ("the Company"), does hereby Constitute and appoint Edward S. Knight and Joan C. Conley, and each of them, the true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents of the undersigned, to do or cause to be done any and all acts and things and to execute any and all instruments and documents which said attorneys-in-fact and agents, or any of them, may deem advisable or necessary to enable the Company to comply with the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), and any rules, regulations and requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission in respect thereof, in connection with the registration of the securities of the Company being registered on the Registration Statement on Form S-8 to which this power of attorney is filed as an exhibit (the "Securities"), including specifically, but without limiting the generality of the foregoing, power and authority to sign, in the name and on behalf of the undersigned as a director of the Company, the Registration Statement on Form S-8 to which this power of attorney is filed as an exhibit, a Registration Statement under Rule 462(b) of the Securities Act, or another appropriate form in respect of the registration of the Securities, and any and all amendments thereto, including post-effective amendments, and any instruments, prospectuses, contracts, documents or other writings of which the originals or copies thereof are to be filed as a part of, or in connection with, any such Registration Statement or amendments, and to file or cause to be filed the same with the Securities and Exchange Commission, and to effect any and all applications and other instruments in the name and on behalf of the undersigned which said attorneys-in-fact and agents, or any of them, deem advisable in order to qualify or register the Securities under the securities laws of any of the several States; and the undersigned does hereby ratify all that said attorneys-in-fact or agents, or any of them, shall do or cause to be done by virtue thereof.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has caused this Power of Attorney to be executed as of June 11, 2003.

/s/  JAMES S. RIEPE      
(signature)
 

James S. Riepe

(printed name)

 

POWER OF ATTORNEY
REGISTRATION STATEMENT ON FORM S-8
THE NASDAQ STOCK MARKET, INC.

KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that the undersigned, a director of The Nasdaq Stock Market, Inc., a Delaware corporation ("the Company"), does hereby Constitute and appoint Edward S. Knight and Joan C. Conley, and each of them, the true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents of the undersigned, to do or cause to be done any and all acts and things and to execute any and all instruments and documents which said attorneys-in-fact and agents, or any of them, may deem advisable or necessary to enable the Company to comply with the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), and any rules, regulations and requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission in respect thereof, in connection with the registration of the securities of the Company being registered on the Registration Statement on Form S-8 to which this power of attorney is filed as an exhibit (the "Securities"), including specifically, but without limiting the generality of the foregoing, power and authority to sign, in the name and on behalf of the undersigned as a director of the Company, the Registration Statement on Form S-8 to which this power of attorney is filed as an exhibit, a Registration Statement under Rule 462(b) of the Securities Act, or another appropriate form in respect of the registration of the Securities, and any and all amendments thereto, including post-effective amendments, and any instruments, prospectuses, contracts, documents or other writings of which the originals or copies thereof are to be filed as a part of, or in connection with, any such Registration Statement or amendments, and to file or cause to be filed the same with the Securities and Exchange Commission, and to effect any and all applications and other instruments in the name and on behalf of the undersigned which said attorneys-in-fact and agents, or any of them, deem advisable in order to qualify or register the Securities under the securities laws of any of the several States; and the undersigned does hereby ratify all that said attorneys-in-fact or agents, or any of them, shall do or cause to be done by virtue thereof.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has caused this Power of Attorney to be executed as of June 11, 2003.

/s/  ARTHUR ROCK      
(signature)
 

Arthur Rock

(printed name)

 

POWER OF ATTORNEY
REGISTRATION STATEMENT ON FORM S-8
THE NASDAQ STOCK MARKET, INC.

KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that the undersigned, a director of The Nasdaq Stock Market, Inc., a Delaware corporation ("the Company"), does hereby Constitute and appoint Edward S. Knight and Joan C. Conley, and each of them, the true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents of the undersigned, to do or cause to be done any and all acts and things and to execute any and all instruments and documents which said attorneys-in-fact and agents, or any of them, may deem advisable or necessary to enable the Company to comply with the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), and any rules, regulations and requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission in respect thereof, in connection with the registration of the securities of the Company being registered on the Registration Statement on Form S-8 to which this power of attorney is filed as an exhibit (the "Securities"), including specifically, but without limiting the generality of the foregoing, power and authority to sign, in the name and on behalf of the undersigned as a director of the Company, the Registration Statement on Form S-8 to which this power of attorney is filed as an exhibit, a Registration Statement under Rule 462(b) of the Securities Act, or another appropriate form in respect of the registration of the Securities, and any and all amendments thereto, including post-effective amendments, and any instruments, prospectuses, contracts, documents or other writings of which the originals or copies thereof are to be filed as a part of, or in connection with, any such Registration Statement or amendments, and to file or cause to be filed the same with the Securities and Exchange Commission, and to effect any and all applications and other instruments in the name and on behalf of the undersigned which said attorneys-in-fact and agents, or any of them, deem advisable in order to qualify or register the Securities under the securities laws of any of the several States; and the undersigned does hereby ratify all that said attorneys-in-fact or agents, or any of them, shall do or cause to be done by virtue thereof.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has caused this Power of Attorney to be executed as of June 12, 2003.

/s/  ARVIND SODHANI      
(signature)
 

Arvind Sodhani

(printed name)

 

POWER OF ATTORNEY
REGISTRATION STATEMENT ON FORM S-8
THE NASDAQ STOCK MARKET, INC.

KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that the undersigned, a director of The Nasdaq Stock Market, Inc., a Delaware corporation ("the Company"), does hereby Constitute and appoint Edward S. Knight and Joan C. Conley, and each of them, the true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents of the undersigned, to do or cause to be done any and all acts and things and to execute any and all instruments and documents which said attorneys-in-fact and agents, or any of them, may deem advisable or necessary to enable the Company to comply with the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), and any rules, regulations and requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission in respect thereof, in connection with the registration of the securities of the Company being registered on the Registration Statement on Form S-8 to which this power of attorney is filed as an exhibit (the "Securities"), including specifically, but without limiting the generality of the foregoing, power and authority to sign, in the name and on behalf of the undersigned as a director of the Company, the Registration Statement on Form S-8 to which this power of attorney is filed as an exhibit, a Registration Statement under Rule 462(b) of the Securities Act, or another appropriate form in respect of the registration of the Securities, and any and all amendments thereto, including post-effective amendments, and any instruments, prospectuses, contracts, documents or other writings of which the originals or copies thereof are to be filed as a part of, or in connection with, any such Registration Statement or amendments, and to file or cause to be filed the same with the Securities and Exchange Commission, and to effect any and all applications and other instruments in the name and on behalf of the undersigned which said attorneys-in-fact and agents, or any of them, deem advisable in order to qualify or register the Securities under the securities laws of any of the several States; and the undersigned does hereby ratify all that said attorneys-in-fact or agents, or any of them, shall do or cause to be done by virtue thereof.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has caused this Power of Attorney to be executed as of June 12, 2003.

/s/  MARTIN SORRELL      
(signature)
 

Martin Sorrell

(printed name)

 

POWER OF ATTORNEY
REGISTRATION STATEMENT ON FORM S-8
THE NASDAQ STOCK MARKET, INC.

KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that the undersigned, a director of The Nasdaq Stock Market, Inc., a Delaware corporation ("the Company"), does hereby Constitute and appoint Edward S. Knight and Joan C. Conley, and each of them, the true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents of the undersigned, to do or cause to be done any and all acts and things and to execute any and all instruments and documents which said attorneys-in-fact and agents, or any of them, may deem advisable or necessary to enable the Company to comply with the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), and any rules, regulations and requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission in respect thereof, in connection with the registration of the securities of the Company being registered on the Registration Statement on Form S-8 to which this power of attorney is filed as an exhibit (the "Securities"), including specifically, but without limiting the generality of the foregoing, power and authority to sign, in the name and on behalf of the undersigned as a director of the Company, the Registration Statement on Form S-8 to which this power of attorney is filed as an exhibit, a Registration Statement under Rule 462(b) of the Securities Act, or another appropriate form in respect of the registration of the Securities, and any and all amendments thereto, including post-effective amendments, and any instruments, prospectuses, contracts, documents or other writings of which the originals or copies thereof are to be filed as a part of, or in connection with, any such Registration Statement or amendments, and to file or cause to be filed the same with the Securities and Exchange Commission, and to effect any and all applications and other instruments in the name and on behalf of the undersigned which said attorneys-in-fact and agents, or any of them, deem advisable in order to qualify or register the Securities under the securities laws of any of the several States; and the undersigned does hereby ratify all that said attorneys-in-fact or agents, or any of them, shall do or cause to be done by virtue thereof.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has caused this Power of Attorney to be executed as of June 12, 2003.

/s/  THOMAS G. STEMBERG      
(signature)
 

Thomas G. Stemberg

(printed name)

 

POWER OF ATTORNEY
REGISTRATION STATEMENT ON FORM S-8
THE NASDAQ STOCK MARKET, INC.

KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that the undersigned, a director of The Nasdaq Stock Market, Inc., a Delaware corporation ("the Company"), does hereby Constitute and appoint Edward S. Knight and Joan C. Conley, and each of them, the true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents of the undersigned, to do or cause to be done any and all acts and things and to execute any and all instruments and documents which said attorneys-in-fact and agents, or any of them, may deem advisable or necessary to enable the Company to comply with the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), and any rules, regulations and requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission in respect thereof, in connection with the registration of the securities of the Company being registered on the Registration Statement on Form S-8 to which this power of attorney is filed as an exhibit (the "Securities"), including specifically, but without limiting the generality of the foregoing, power and authority to sign, in the name and on behalf of the undersigned as a director of the Company, the Registration Statement on Form S-8 to which this power of attorney is filed as an exhibit, a Registration Statement under Rule 462(b) of the Securities Act, or another appropriate form in respect of the registration of the Securities, and any and all amendments thereto, including post-effective amendments, and any instruments, prospectuses, contracts, documents or other writings of which the originals or copies thereof are to be filed as a part of, or in connection with, any such Registration Statement or amendments, and to file or cause to be filed the same with the Securities and Exchange Commission, and to effect any and all applications and other instruments in the name and on behalf of the undersigned which said attorneys-in-fact and agents, or any of them, deem advisable in order to qualify or register the Securities under the securities laws of any of the several States; and the undersigned does hereby ratify all that said attorneys-in-fact or agents, or any of them, shall do or cause to be done by virtue thereof.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has caused this Power of Attorney to be executed as of June 12, 2003.

/s/  THOMAS W. WEISEL      
(signature)
 

Thomas W. Weisel

(printed name)

 

POWER OF ATTORNEY
REGISTRATION STATEMENT ON FORM S-8
THE NASDAQ STOCK MARKET, INC.

KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that the undersigned, a director of The Nasdaq Stock Market, Inc., a Delaware corporation ("the Company"), does hereby Constitute and appoint Edward S. Knight and Joan C. Conley, and each of them, the true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents of the undersigned, to do or cause to be done any and all acts and things and to execute any and all instruments and documents which said attorneys-in-fact and agents, or any of them, may deem advisable or necessary to enable the Company to comply with the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), and any rules, regulations and requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission in respect thereof, in connection with the registration of the securities of the Company being registered on the Registration Statement on Form S-8 to which this power of attorney is filed as an exhibit (the "Securities"), including specifically, but without limiting the generality of the foregoing, power and authority to sign, in the name and on behalf of the undersigned as a director of the Company, the Registration Statement on Form S-8 to which this power of attorney is filed as an exhibit, a Registration Statement under Rule 462(b) of the Securities Act, or another appropriate form in respect of the registration of the Securities, and any and all amendments thereto, including post-effective amendments, and any instruments, prospectuses, contracts, documents or other writings of which the originals or copies thereof are to be filed as a part of, or in connection with, any such Registration Statement or amendments, and to file or cause to be filed the same with the Securities and Exchange Commission, and to effect any and all applications and other instruments in the name and on behalf of the undersigned which said attorneys-in-fact and agents, or any of them, deem advisable in order to qualify or register the Securities under the securities laws of any of the several States; and the undersigned does hereby ratify all that said attorneys-in-fact or agents, or any of them, shall do or cause to be done by virtue thereof.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has caused this Power of Attorney to be executed as of June 12, 2003.

/s/  MARY JO WHITE      
(signature)
 

Mary Jo White

(printed name)

 

POWER OF ATTORNEY
REGISTRATION STATEMENT ON FORM S-8
THE NASDAQ STOCK MARKET, INC.

KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that the undersigned, a director of The Nasdaq Stock Market, Inc., a Delaware corporation ("the Company"), does hereby Constitute and appoint Edward S. Knight and Joan C. Conley, and each of them, the true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents of the undersigned, to do or cause to be done any and all acts and things and to execute any and all instruments and documents which said attorneys-in-fact and agents, or any of them, may deem advisable or necessary to enable the Company to comply with the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), and any rules, regulations and requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission in respect thereof, in connection with the registration of the securities of the Company being registered on the Registration Statement on Form S-8 to which this power of attorney is filed as an exhibit (the "Securities"), including specifically, but without limiting the generality of the foregoing, power and authority to sign, in the name and on behalf of the undersigned as a director of the Company, the Registration Statement on Form S-8 to which this power of attorney is filed as an exhibit, a Registration Statement under Rule 462(b) of the Securities Act, or another appropriate form in respect of the registration of the Securities, and any and all amendments thereto, including post-effective amendments, and any instruments, prospectuses, contracts, documents or other writings of which the originals or copies thereof are to be filed as a part of, or in connection with, any such Registration Statement or amendments, and to file or cause to be filed the same with the Securities and Exchange Commission, and to effect any and all applications and other instruments in the name and on behalf of the undersigned which said attorneys-in-fact and agents, or any of them, deem advisable in order to qualify or register the Securities under the securities laws of any of the several States; and the undersigned does hereby ratify all that said attorneys-in-fact or agents, or any of them, shall do or cause to be done by virtue thereof.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has caused this Power of Attorney to be executed as of June 12, 2003.

/s/  ARSHAD R. ZAKARIA      
(signature)
 

Arshad R. Zakaria

(printed name)