SEC Filing - Nasdaq, Inc.

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S-3ASR

As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 27, 2018

Registration No. 333-

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

FORM S-3

REGISTRATION STATEMENT

UNDER

THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

Nasdaq, Inc.

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)

Delaware

52-1165937

(State or Other Jurisdiction of

Incorporation or Organization)

(IRS Employer

Identification Number)

One Liberty Plaza

New York, New York 10006

+1 212 401 8700

(Address, Including Zip Code, and Telephone Number, Including Area Code, of Registrant’s Principal Executive Offices)

Edward S. Knight, Esq.

Executive Vice President and Global Chief Legal and Policy Officer

Nasdaq, Inc.

One Liberty Plaza

New York, New York 10006

+1 212 401 8700

(Name, Address, Including Zip Code, and Telephone Number, Including Area Code, of Agent for Service of Process)

Copies To:

Justin P. Klein, Esq.

Gerald J. Guarcini, Esq.

Ballard Spahr LLP

1735 Market Street, 51^st Floor

Philadelphia, PA 19103

+1 215 665 8500

Approximate Date of Commencement of Proposed Sale to the Public: From time to time after the effective date of this registration statement.

If the only securities being registered on this Form are being offered pursuant to dividend or interest reinvestment plans, please check the following box: ☐

If any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered on a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933, other than securities offered only in connection with dividend or interest reinvestment plans, check the following box: ☒

If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, please check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. ☐

If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. ☐

If this Form is a registration statement pursuant to General Instruction I.D. or a post-effective amendment thereto that shall become effective upon filing with the Commission pursuant to Rule 462(e) under the Securities Act, check the following box. ☒

If this Form is a post-effective amendment to a registration statement filed pursuant to General Instruction I.D. filed to register additional securities or additional class of securities pursuant to Rule 413(b) under the Securities Act, check the following box. ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 7(a)(2)(B) of the Securities Act. ☐

CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE



Title of Each Class of Securities to be Registered	Amount to be Registered⁽¹⁾	Proposed Maximum Offering Price⁽¹⁾	Proposed Maximum Aggregate Offering Price⁽¹⁾	Amount of Registration Fee⁽²⁾
Debt Securities
Guarantees of Debt Securities⁽³⁾
Preferred Stock, par value $0.01 per share
Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share
Warrants
Subscription Rights
Depositary Shares
Purchase Contracts
Units⁽⁴⁾
Total

(1)

Not applicable pursuant to Form S-3 General Instructions II.E. An indeterminate aggregate initial offering price or number of securities of each identified class (the “Securities”) is being registered for sale from time to time at indeterminate prices. Includes such indeterminate amounts of securities as may be issued upon exercise, conversion or exchange of any Securities that provide for that issuance. Also includes such indeterminate amount as may be issued in units. Separate consideration may or may not be received for any of these Securities.

(2)	In accordance with Rules 456(b) and 457(r) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the registrant is deferring payment of all of the registration fee.

(3)	Pursuant to Rule 457(n) under the Securities Act of 1933, no separate registration fee will be paid with respect to the registration of the guarantees.

(4)	Any securities registered hereunder may be sold separately, together or as units with other securities registered hereunder.

LOGO

Debt Securities, Guarantees of Debt Securities, Preferred Stock, Common Stock, Warrants, Subscription Rights,

Depositary Shares, Purchase Contracts and Units

We may, from time to time, offer:

•

Debt securities, which may be senior, subordinated or junior subordinated and convertible or non-convertible;

•

Guarantees of debt securities;

•

Shares of our preferred stock;

•

Shares of our common stock;

•

Warrants;

•

Subscription rights;

•

Depositary shares;

•

Purchase contracts; and

•

Units, comprised of two or more of any of the securities referred above, in any combination,

together or separately, and in amounts, at prices and on terms that we will determine at the time of the offering. In addition, certain other persons to be identified in a prospectus supplement may offer and sell our securities.

This prospectus describes some of the general terms that may apply to these securities and the manner in which they may be offered. We will deliver this prospectus together with an accompanying prospectus supplement setting forth the specific terms of the securities we are offering and the manner in which they will be offered.

You should read this prospectus, any applicable prospectus supplement and the documents incorporated by reference herein and therein carefully before you invest in our securities. THIS PROSPECTUS MAY NOT BE USED TO SELL SECURITIES UNLESS ACCOMPANIED BY A PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT.

We, or any selling securityholders, may offer and sell the securities to or through one or more underwriters, dealers and agents, or directly to purchasers, on a continuous or delayed basis. The prospectus supplement for each offering will describe in detail the plan of distribution for that offering and will set forth the names of any agents, underwriters or dealers involved in the offering and any applicable fees, commissions or discount arrangements. The net proceeds we expect to receive from sales will be set forth in the prospectus supplement. For more detailed information, see “Plan of Distribution” in this prospectus.

Our common stock is listed on The Nasdaq Stock Market under the trading symbol “NDAQ.” Each prospectus supplement will indicate if the securities offered thereby will be listed on any securities exchange.

INVESTING IN OUR SECURITIES INVOLVES CERTAIN RISKS. SEE “RISK FACTORS” ON PAGE 4 AND, IF APPLICABLE, ANY RISK FACTORS THAT ARE DESCRIBED IN ANY ACCOMPANYING PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT OR IN OUR SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION FILINGS THAT ARE INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE INTO THIS PROSPECTUS.

Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission, any state securities commission nor any other regulatory body has approved or disapproved of these securities or passed upon the adequacy or accuracy of this prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

The date of this prospectus is April 27, 2018.

Table of Contents


	Page
ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS		1

WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION		2

INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE		2

CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS		3

RISK FACTORS		4

THE COMPANY		5

RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES		7

USE OF PROCEEDS		8

DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES		9

DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK		9

DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES		12

DESCRIPTION OF WARRANTS		15

DESCRIPTION OF SUBSCRIPTION RIGHTS		16

DESCRIPTION OF DEPOSITARY SHARES		17

DESCRIPTION OF PURCHASE CONTRACTS		17

DESCRIPTION OF UNITS		18

PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION		18

LEGAL MATTERS		20

EXPERTS		20

ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS

This prospectus is part of a registration statement that we have filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or the SEC, using a “shelf” registration process for the delayed offering and sale of securities pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Act. Under this shelf process (i) we may, from time to time, offer an indeterminate number of any of the securities described in this prospectus, together or separately, in one or more offerings, and (ii) the selling securityholders to be named in a prospectus supplement may offer, from time to time, an indeterminate number of our securities.

This prospectus provides you with a general description of the securities we or the selling securityholders may offer. As allowed by SEC rules, this prospectus does not contain all the information you can find in the registration statement or the exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part. Statements contained in this prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplement or other offering materials about the provisions or contents of any agreement or other document are only summaries. If SEC rules require that any agreement or document be filed as an exhibit to the registration statement, you should refer to that agreement or document for its complete contents.

Each time we, or the selling securityholders, as the case may be, offer our securities, we will provide a prospectus supplement that will contain specific information about the terms of that offering. The prospectus supplement may also add, update or change information contained in this prospectus. If there is any inconsistency between the information in this prospectus and any applicable prospectus supplement, you should rely on the information in the applicable prospectus supplement. You should read both this prospectus and any applicable prospectus supplement, together with additional information described under the headings “Where You Can Find More Information” and “Incorporation of Certain Documents by Reference.”

The registration statement containing this prospectus, including the exhibits to the registration statement, provides additional information about us and the securities to be offered. The registration statement, including the exhibits, can be read at the SEC web site or at the SEC offices mentioned under the heading “Where You Can Find More Information.” General information about us, including our Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Current Reports on Form 8-K, as well as any amendments and exhibits to those reports, are available free of charge through our website at http://business.nasdaq.com as soon as reasonably practicable after we file them with, or furnish them to, the SEC. Information on our website is not incorporated into this prospectus or our other securities filings and is not a part of these filings.

You should rely only on the information contained in this prospectus and the information to which we have referred you. We have not authorized any other person to provide you with information that is different. This prospectus may only be used where it is legal to sell these securities. The information in this prospectus may only be accurate on the date of this document.

Throughout this prospectus, unless otherwise specified, “Nasdaq,” “we,” “us” and “our” refer to Nasdaq, Inc.

WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

We are a public company and file annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. This information may be read and copied at the Public Reference Room of the SEC at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549. Information regarding the operation of the Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling the SEC at (800) SEC-0330. The material may also be accessed electronically by means of the SEC’s home page on the Internet at http://www.sec.gov or through our web site at http://business.nasdaq.com. However, the information located on, or accessible from, our website is not, and shall not be deemed to be, except as described below, a part of this prospectus or the accompanying prospectus supplement or incorporated into any other filings that we make with the SEC.

This prospectus is only part of a registration statement on Form S-3 we have filed with the SEC under the Securities Act and therefore omits some of the information contained in the registration statement. We have also filed exhibits and schedules to the registration statement which are excluded from this prospectus, and you should refer to the applicable exhibit or schedule for a complete description of any statement referring to any contract or other document. You may inspect or obtain a copy of the registration statement, including the exhibits and schedules, as described in the previous paragraph.

INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE

The SEC allows us to “incorporate by reference” the information we file with it, which means that we can disclose important information to you by referring to those documents. The information incorporated by reference is an important part of this prospectus. Any statement contained in a document that is incorporated by reference in this prospectus is automatically updated and superseded if information contained in this prospectus, or information that we later file with the SEC, modifies or replaces this information. All documents we file pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the Exchange Act (other than information in Current Reports on Form 8-K furnished pursuant to items 2.02, 7.01 or otherwise, as the case may be, of such form), after the initial filing of this registration statement and until termination of the offering shall be deemed to be incorporated by reference into this prospectus. We incorporate by reference the following previously filed documents:

•

our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017 (including those portions of our Definitive Proxy Statement for the 2018 Annual Meeting of Stockholders that are incorporated by reference in our Form 10-K);

•

our Current Reports on Form 8-K filed on January 31, 2018 (with regard to Item 8.01), March 28, 2018, April 25, 2018 (with regard to Item 8.01) and April 27, 2018; and

•

the description of our common stock contained in our Current Report on Form 8-K filed on April 27, 2018.

You may obtain a copy of these filings and any other filings incorporated by reference at no cost, by writing or telephoning us at the following address:

Nasdaq, Inc.

One Liberty Plaza

New York, New York 10006

(212) 401-8700

email: investor.relations@nasdaq.com

CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This prospectus, any accompanying prospectus supplement and documents incorporated by reference into this prospectus may include forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act and Section 21E of the Exchange Act. We intend that the “safe harbor” provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 apply to these forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are not statements of historical fact but rather reflect our current expectations, estimates and predictions about future results and events. Words such as “may,” “will,” “could,” “should,” “anticipates,” “envisions,” “estimates,” “expects,” “projects,” “intends,” “plans,” “believes” and words or terms of similar substance used in connection with any discussion of expectations as to industry and regulatory developments or business initiatives and strategies, future operating results or financial performance, and other future developments identify forward-looking statements. These include, among others, statements relating to:

•

our strategy, growth forecasts and 2018 outlook;

•

the integration of acquired businesses, including accounting decisions relating thereto;

•

the scope, nature or impact of acquisitions, divestitures, investments, joint ventures or other transactional activities;

•

the effective dates for, and expected benefits of, ongoing initiatives, including transactional activities and other strategic, restructuring, technology, de-leveraging and capital return initiatives;

•

our products, order backlog and services;

•

the impact of pricing changes;

•

tax matters;

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the cost and availability of liquidity and capital; and

•

any litigation, or any regulatory or government investigation or action, to which we are or could become a party or which may affect us.

Forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contemplated by the forward-looking statements include, among others, the following:

•

our operating results may be lower than expected;

•

our ability to successfully integrate acquired businesses or divest sold businesses or assets, including the fact that any integration may be more difficult, time consuming or costly than expected, and we may be unable to realize synergies from business combinations, acquisitions, divestitures or other transactional activities;

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loss of significant trading and clearing volumes or values, fees, market share, listed companies, data products customers or other customers;

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our ability to keep up with rapid technological advances and adequately address cybersecurity risks;

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economic, political and market conditions and fluctuations, including interest rate and foreign currency risk, inherent in U.S. and international operations;

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the performance and reliability of our technology and technology of third parties on which we rely;

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any significant error in our operational processes;

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our ability to continue to generate cash and manage our indebtedness; and

•

adverse changes that may occur in the litigation or regulatory areas, or in the securities markets generally.

Most of these factors are difficult to predict accurately and are generally beyond our control. You should consider the uncertainty and any risk related to forward-looking statements that we make. The above list of risks and uncertainties is only a summary of some of the most important factors and is not intended to be exhaustive. You should carefully review the risks and information contained, or incorporated by reference, in this prospectus or in any accompanying prospectus supplement, including, without limitation, those risk factors discussed under the caption “Part I. Item 1A. Risk Factors,” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017 that was filed with the SEC on February 28, 2018. New factors that are not currently known to us or of which we are currently unaware may also emerge from time to time that could materially and adversely affect us. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this prospectus or in any accompanying prospectus supplement. Except as required by the federal securities laws, we undertake no obligation to update any forward-looking statement, release publicly any revisions to any forward-looking statements or report the occurrence of unanticipated events. For any forward-looking statements contained in any document, we claim the protection of the safe harbor for forward-looking statements contained in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.

RISK FACTORS

Investing in our securities involves risk. You should carefully consider the risk factors incorporated by reference from our Annual Report on Form 10-K for our most recent fiscal year, our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, the risk factors described under the caption “Risk Factors” in any applicable prospectus supplement and any risk factors set forth in our other filings with the SEC, before making an investment decision. Each of the risks described in these documents could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects, and could result in a partial or complete loss of your investment. Although we have tried to discuss key factors, please be aware that these are not the only risks we face. Additional risks and uncertainties not presently known to us or that we currently believe to be immaterial may also adversely affect our business. Additional risk factors may be included in a prospectus supplement relating to a particular series or offering of securities. These risks could materially affect our business, results of operations or financial condition and cause the value of our securities to decline. You could lose all or part of your investment.

THE COMPANY

Nasdaq, Inc. is a leading provider of trading, clearing, marketplace technology, regulatory, securities listing, information and public and private company services. Our global offerings are diverse and include trading and clearing across multiple asset classes, trade management services, data products, financial indexes, capital formation solutions, corporate solutions, and market technology products and services. Our technology powers markets across the globe, supporting equity derivative trading, clearing and settlement, cash equity trading, fixed income trading, trading surveillance and many other functions.

We manage, operate and provide our products and services in four business segments: Market Services, Corporate Services, Information Services and Market Technology.

Market Services

Our Market Services segment includes our Equity Derivative Trading and Clearing, Cash Equity Trading, Fixed Income and Commodities Trading and Clearing, and Trade Management Services businesses. We operate multiple exchanges and other marketplace facilities across several asset classes, including derivatives, commodities, cash equity, debt, structured products and exchange traded products, or ETPs. In addition, in some countries where we operate exchanges, we also provide broker services, clearing, settlement and central depository services. Our transaction-based platforms provide market participants with the ability to access, process, display and integrate orders and quotes. The platforms allow the routing and execution of buy and sell orders as well as the reporting of transactions, providing fee-based revenues.

In the U.S., we operate six electronic options exchanges and three cash equity exchanges. The Nasdaq Stock Market, the largest of our cash equities exchanges, is the largest single venue of liquidity for trading U.S.-listed cash equities. We also operate an electronic platform for trading of U.S. Treasuries and NFX, a U.S. based designated contract market which lists cash-settled energy derivatives based on key energy benchmarks including oil, natural gas and U.S. power. In addition, we also operate a Canadian exchange for the trading of Canadian-listed securities.

In Europe, we operate exchanges in Stockholm (Sweden), Copenhagen (Denmark), Helsinki (Finland), and Reykjavik (Iceland), as well as the clearing operations of Nasdaq Clearing. We also operate exchanges in Tallinn (Estonia), Riga (Latvia) and Vilnius (Lithuania) as Nasdaq Baltic. Collectively, Nasdaq Nordic and Nasdaq Baltic offer trading in cash equities, depository receipts, warrants, convertibles, rights, fund units and exchange traded funds, or ETFs, as well as trading and clearing of derivatives and clearing of resale and repurchase agreements.

Nasdaq Commodities is the brand name for Nasdaq’s worldwide suite of commodity-related products and services. Nasdaq Commodities’ offerings include oil, power, natural gas and carbon emission markets, tanker and dry cargo freight, seafood derivatives, iron ore, electricity certificates and clearing services. These products are listed on two of Nasdaq’s derivatives exchanges, Nasdaq Oslo ASA and NFX.

Through our Trade Management Services business, we provide market participants with a wide variety of alternatives for connecting to and accessing our markets via a number of different protocols used for quoting, order entry, trade reporting, DROP functionality and connectivity to various data feeds. We also provide co-location services to market participants, whereby firms may lease cabinet space and power to house their own equipment and servers within our data centers. Our broker services operations offer technology and customized securities administration solutions to financial participants in the Nordic market.

Corporate Services

Our Corporate Services segment includes our Corporate Solutions and Listing Services businesses.

Our Corporate Solutions business serves corporate clients, including companies listed on our exchanges and private companies. We help organizations manage the two-way flow of information with their key constituents, including their board members and investors, and with clients and the public through our suite of advanced technology, analytics, and consultative services. Our Corporate Solutions business currently offers products to serve the following key areas: investor relations and board & leadership. On April 16, 2018, we announced the completion of the sale of the Public Relations Solutions and Digital Media Services businesses within our Corporate Solutions business to West Corporation, a global leader in technology-enabled services, for approximately $335 million, subject to adjustments.

We have realigned our services businesses to better serve the needs of our corporate clients. As a result, in the second quarter of 2018, the BWise corporate enterprise risk management business will be included as part of our Corporate Solutions business. BWise is currently part of our Market Technology segment. In addition, for segment reporting purposes, we will include in corporate items the historical revenues and expenses related to the sale of the above businesses which were part of the Corporate Solutions business within our Corporate Services segment.

Our Listing Services business includes our U.S. and European Listing Services businesses. We operate a variety of listing platforms around the world to provide multiple global capital raising solutions for private and public companies. Our main listing markets are The Nasdaq Stock Market and the Nasdaq Nordic and Nasdaq Baltic exchanges. Through Nasdaq First North, our Nordic and Baltic operations also offer alternative marketplaces for smaller companies and growth companies. Our Listing Services business also includes The Nasdaq Private Market, LLC, which provides liquidity solutions for private companies.

As of March 31, 2018, there were 2,969 total listings on The Nasdaq Stock Market, including 376 ETPs. The combined market capitalization was approximately $11.8 trillion. In Europe, the Nasdaq Nordic and Nasdaq Baltic exchanges, together with Nasdaq First North, were home to 986 listed companies with a combined market capitalization of approximately $1.5 trillion.

Information Services

Our Information Services segment includes our Data Products and our Index Licensing and Services businesses. Our Data Products business sells and distributes historical and real-time quote and trade information to the sell-side, the buy-side, retail online brokers, proprietary trading shops, other venues, internet portals and data distributors. Our data products enhance transparency of market activity within our exchanges and provide critical information to professional and non-professional investors globally. Also included in our Data Products business is our eVestment business, a leading content and analytics cloud-based solutions provider used by asset managers, investment consultants and asset owners to help facilitate better investment decisions.

Our Index Licensing and Services business develops and licenses Nasdaq-branded indexes, associated derivatives, and financial products and also provides custom calculation services for third-party clients. As of March 31, 2018, we had 328 ETPs licensed to Nasdaq’s indexes which had $173 billion of assets under management.

Beginning in the second quarter of 2018, our Information Services segment will be recategorized into the following businesses:

•

market data;

•

index; and

•

investment data & analytics.

Market Technology

Our Market Technology segment is a leading global technology solutions provider and partner to exchanges, clearing organizations, central securities depositories, regulators, banks, brokers and corporate businesses. Our Market Technology business is the sales channel for our complete global offering to other marketplaces.

Market Technology provides technology solutions for trading, clearing, settlement, surveillance and information dissemination to markets with wide-ranging requirements, from the leading markets in the U.S., Europe and Asia to emerging markets in the Middle East, Latin America, and Africa. Our marketplace solutions can handle a wide array of assets, including cash equities, equity derivatives, currencies, various interest-bearing securities, commodities and energy products, and are currently powering more than 90 marketplaces in 50 countries. Market Technology also provides market surveillance services to broker-dealer firms worldwide, as well as enterprise governance, risk management and compliance software solutions.

RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES

The following table sets forth our consolidated ratio of earnings to fixed charges for the periods listed below:


	Year Ended December 31, 2017		Year Ended December 31, 2016		Year Ended December 31, 2015		Year Ended December 31, 2014		Year Ended December 31, 2013
Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges⁽¹⁾		6.40		1.87		5.82		5.42		5.76

(1)

Ratio of earnings to fixed charges is computed by dividing pre-tax income from continuing operations before fixed charges by fixed charges. Fixed charges are the sum of interest expense on all debt obligations (including accretion of debt issuance costs and debt discount) and the portion of operating lease rental expense that is representative of the interest factor.

USE OF PROCEEDS

Unless otherwise set forth in an applicable prospectus supplement, we intend to use the net proceeds of any offering of securities sold by us to provide additional funding for general corporate purposes, which may include, without limitation, acquisitions, repayment of outstanding debt, capital expenditures and working capital. When particular securities are offered, the prospectus supplement relating to that offering will set forth our intended use of the net proceeds received from the sale of those securities. The net proceeds may be invested temporarily in short-term marketable securities or applied to repay short-term debt until they are used for their stated purposes.

Unless otherwise set forth in a prospectus supplement, we will not receive any of the proceeds from the sale of securities by the selling securityholders.

DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES

This Prospectus contains summary descriptions of the debt securities, guarantees of debt securities, preferred stock, common stock, warrants, subscription rights, depositary shares, purchase contracts and units that we or one or more selling stockholders may offer and sell from time to time. These summary descriptions are not meant to be complete descriptions of each security. The particular terms of any security will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement and/or other offering materials.

DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK

The following is a description of the material terms and provisions relating to our capital stock. Because it is a summary, the following description is not complete and is subject to and qualified in its entirety by reference to our Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, as amended, or the Certificate, and by-laws, and provisions of Delaware law which define the rights of our stockholders. Our Certificate and by-laws are incorporated by reference as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part. See “Where You Can Find More Information” for information on how to obtain copies of these documents.

Authorized Capital

Our authorized capital stock consists of (i) 300,000,000 shares of common stock, par value $0.01 per share; and (ii) 30,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value $0.01 per share. As of March 31, 2018, we had 172,396,708 shares of common stock issued and 166,946,592 shares outstanding and we had no shares of preferred stock issued and none outstanding. As of March 31, 2018, there were approximately 273 record holders of our common stock.

Common Stock

The holders of our common stock are entitled to one vote per share on all matters to be voted upon by the stockholders except that no person may exercise voting rights in respect of any shares in excess of 5% of the then outstanding shares of our Common Stock. Subject to certain additional conditions, this limitation does not apply to persons exempted from this limitation by our board of directors prior to the time such person owns more than 5.0% of the then-outstanding shares of our common stock.

At any meeting of our stockholders, a majority of the votes entitled to be cast will constitute a quorum for such meeting.

Holders of common stock are entitled to receive ratably such dividends, if any, as may be declared from time to time by our board of directors out of funds legally available for them. In the event of our liquidation, dissolution, or winding-up, the holders of our common stock are entitled to share ratably in all assets remaining after payment of liabilities, subject to prior distribution rights of preferred stock, if any, then outstanding. Our common stock has no preemptive or conversion rights or other subscription rights. There are no redemption or sinking fund provisions applicable to our common stock. All outstanding shares of common stock are fully paid and non-assessable, and the shares of common stock to be issued upon completion of any offerings hereunder will be fully paid and non-assessable. Future dividends, if any, will be determined by our board of directors.

Preferred Stock

Our Board of Directors may provide by resolution for the issuance of preferred stock, in one or more series, and to fix the powers, preferences, and rights, and the qualifications, limitations, and restrictions thereof, of this preferred stock, including dividend rights, conversion rights, voting rights, terms of redemption, liquidation preferences, sinking fund provisions, if any, and the number of shares constituting any series or the designation of such series. The issuance of preferred stock could have the effect of decreasing the market price of our common stock and could adversely affect the voting and other rights of the holders of our common stock.

Certain Provisions of our Certificate and By-Laws

Some provisions of our Certificate and by-laws, which provisions are summarized below, may be deemed to have an anti-takeover effect and may delay, defer, or prevent a tender offer or takeover attempt that a stockholder might consider in its best interest, including those attempts that might result in a premium over the market price for the shares held by stockholders.

Advance Notice Requirements for Stockholder Proposals and Directors Nominations

Our by-laws provide that stockholders seeking to bring business before an annual meeting of stockholders, or to nominate candidates for election as directors at an annual meeting of stockholders, must provide timely notice in writing. To be timely, a stockholder’s notice must be delivered to or mailed and received at our principal executive offices not less than 90 nor more than 120 days prior to the anniversary date of the immediately preceding annual meeting of stockholders; provided, that in the event that the annual meeting is called for a date that is not within 30 days before or 70 days after such anniversary date, notice by the shareholder in order to be timely must be received not earlier than 120 days prior to the meeting and not later than the later of 90 days prior to the meeting and the close of business on the 10th day following the date on which notice of the date of the annual meeting was first publicly announced by Nasdaq. In the case of a special meeting of stockholders called for the purpose of electing directors, notice by the stockholder in order to be timely must be received not earlier than 120 days prior to the meeting and not later than the later of 90 days prior to the meeting or the close of business on the 10th day following the day on which public disclosure of the date of the special meeting and our nominees was first made. In addition, the by-laws specify certain requirements as to the form and content of a stockholder’s notice. These provisions may preclude stockholders from bringing matters before an annual meeting of stockholders or from making nominations for directors at an annual or special meeting of stockholders.

Proxy Access

Our by-laws include a proxy access provision that permits a stockholder, or a group of stockholders, owning at least three percent of our outstanding shares of common stock continuously for at least three years to nominate and include in the proxy materials for an annual meeting of stockholders director nominees constituting up to the greater of two individuals and 25% of the total number of directors then in office, provided that the stockholder(s) and nominee(s) satisfy the requirements specified in the by-laws.

Stockholder Action

Our Certificate provides that stockholders are not entitled to act by written consent in lieu of a meeting.

Right to Call Special Meeting

Our by-laws provide that stockholders representing 15% or more of our outstanding shares can convene a special meeting of shareholders, provided that the stockholders satisfy the requirements of our by-laws.

Amendments; Vote Requirements

The General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware provides generally that the affirmative vote of a majority of the shares entitled to vote on any matter is required to amend a corporation’s certificate of incorporation, unless a corporation’s certificate of incorporation requires a greater percentage. Our Certificate imposes majority voting requirements in connection with stockholder amendments to the by-laws and in connection with the amendment of certain provisions of the Certificate, including those provisions of the Certificate relating to the limitations on voting rights of certain persons, removal of directors and prohibitions on stockholder action by written consent.

Authorized But Unissued Shares

The authorized but unissued shares of our common stock and preferred stock will be available for future issuance without stockholder approval in most cases. These additional shares may be utilized for a variety of corporate purposes, including future public or private offerings to raise additional capital, corporate acquisitions and employee benefit plans. The existence of authorized but unissued shares of our common stock and preferred stock could render more difficult, or discourage, an attempt to obtain control of us by means of a proxy contest, tender offer, merger or otherwise.

Delaware Business Combination Statute

We are organized under Delaware law. Delaware law generally prohibits a publicly-held or widely-held corporation from engaging in a “business combination” with an “interested stockholder” for three years after the stockholder becomes an interested stockholder. An “interested stockholder” is a person who, together with affiliates and associates, owns (or, in some cases, within three years, did own) directly or indirectly 15% or more of the corporation’s outstanding voting stock. A “business combination” includes a merger, asset sale or other transaction that results in a financial benefit to the interested stockholder. However, Delaware law does not prohibit these business combinations if:

before the stockholder becomes an interested stockholder, the corporation’s board approved either the business combination or the transaction that resulted in the stockholder becoming an interested stockholder;

after the transaction that results in the stockholder becoming an interested stockholder, the interested stockholder owns at least 85% of the corporation’s outstanding voting stock (excluding certain shares); or

the corporation’s board approves the business combination and the holders of at least two-thirds of the corporation’s outstanding voting stock that the interested stockholder does not own authorize the business combination at a meeting of stockholders.

Stockholders’ Agreements

On December 16, 2010, we entered into a stockholders’ agreement with Investor AB. We are obligated by the terms of the stockholders’ agreement to nominate and generally use best efforts to cause the election to our board of directors one individual designated by Investor AB, subject to certain conditions.

On February 27, 2008, we entered into a stockholders’ agreement with Borse Dubai Limited, or Borse Dubai, which was amended on February 19, 2009. Subject to certain conditions, we are obligated by the terms of the stockholders’ agreement to nominate and generally use best efforts to cause the election to our board of directors one individual designated by Borse Dubai.

Transfer Agent and Registrar

The transfer agent and registrar for our common stock is Computershare. Its address is 480 Washington Boulevard, Jersey City, New Jersey 07310 and its telephone number is (800) 736-3001.

Listing

Our common stock is listed on The Nasdaq Stock Market under the trading symbol “NDAQ.”

DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES

This section describes the general terms and provisions of the debt securities that we may issue separately, upon exercise of a debt warrant, in connection with a purchase contract or subscription rights or as part of a unit from time to time in the form of one or more series of debt securities. We may offer secured or unsecured debt securities which may be senior, subordinated or junior subordinated, and which may be convertible. The applicable prospectus supplement and/or other offering materials will describe the specific terms of the debt securities offered through that prospectus supplement as well as any general terms described in this section that will not apply to those debt securities. To the extent the applicable prospectus supplement or other offering materials relating to an offering of debt securities are inconsistent with this prospectus, the terms of that prospectus supplement or other offering materials will supersede the information in this prospectus.

The debt securities will be issued under an indenture between us and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as trustee. The indenture was previously filed and is incorporated by reference as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part. The terms of the debt securities will include those set forth in the indenture and any related security documents and those made a part of the indenture by the Trust Indenture Act of 1939. You should read the summary below, the applicable prospectus supplement and/or other offering materials and the provisions of the indenture and any related security documents in their entirety before investing in our debt securities. Capitalized terms used in the summary have the meanings specified in the indenture.

The prospectus supplement relating to any series of debt securities that we may offer will contain the specific terms of the debt securities. These terms may include the following:

•

the title and aggregate principal amount of the debt securities;

•

whether the debt securities will be senior, subordinated or junior subordinated;

•

whether the debt securities will be secured or unsecured;

•

whether the debt securities are convertible or exchangeable into other securities;

•

the percentage or percentages of principal amount at which such debt securities will be issued;

•

the interest rate(s) or the method for determining the interest rate(s);

•

the dates on which interest will accrue or the method for determining dates on which interest will accrue and dates on which interest will be payable;

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the person to whom any interest on the debt securities will be payable;

•

the places where payments on the debt securities will be payable;

•

the maturity date;

•

redemption or early repayment provisions;

•

authorized denominations;

•

form;

•

amount of discount or premium, if any, with which such debt securities will be issued;

•

whether such debt securities will be issued in whole or in part in the form of one or more global securities;

•

the identity of the depositary for global securities;

•

whether a temporary security is to be issued with respect to such series and whether any interest payable prior to the issuance of definitive securities of the series will be credited to the account of the persons entitled thereto;

•

the terms upon which beneficial interests in a temporary global security may be exchanged in whole or in part for beneficial interests in a definitive global security or for individual definitive securities;

•

any covenants applicable to the particular debt securities being issued;

•

any defaults and events of default applicable to the particular debt securities being issued;

•

the guarantors of each series, if any, and the extent of the guarantees (including provisions relating to seniority, subordination, security and release of the guarantees), if any;

•

any applicable subordination provisions for any subordinated debt securities;

•

any restriction or condition on the transferability of the debt securities;

•

the currency, currencies or currency units in which the purchase price for, the principal of and any premium and any interest on, such debt securities will be payable;

•

the time period within which, the manner in which and the terms and conditions upon which we or the purchaser of the debt securities can select the payment currency;

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the securities exchange(s) on which the securities will be listed, if any;

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whether any underwriter(s) will act as market maker(s) for the securities;

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the extent to which a secondary market for the securities is expected to develop;

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our obligation or right to redeem, purchase or repay debt securities under a sinking fund, amortization or analogous provision;

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provisions relating to covenant defeasance and legal defeasance;

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provisions relating to satisfaction and discharge of the indenture;

•

provisions relating to the modification of the indenture both with and without the consent of holders of debt securities issued under the indenture; and

•

additional terms not inconsistent with the provisions of the indenture.

General

We may sell the debt securities, including original issue discount securities, at par or at a substantial discount below their stated principal amount. Unless we inform you otherwise in a prospectus supplement, we may issue additional debt securities of a particular series without the consent of the holders of the debt securities of such series outstanding at the time of issuance. Any such additional debt securities, together with all other outstanding debt securities of that series, will constitute a single series of securities under the applicable indenture. In addition, we will describe in the applicable prospectus supplement, material U.S. federal income tax considerations and any other special considerations for any debt securities we sell which are denominated in a currency or currency unit other than U.S. dollars. Unless we inform you otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement, the debt securities will not be listed on any securities exchange.

We expect most debt securities to be issued in fully registered form without coupons and in denominations of $2,000 and any integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof. Subject to the limitations provided in the indenture and in the prospectus supplement, debt securities that are issued in registered form may be transferred or exchanged at the corporate office of the trustee or the principal corporate trust office of the trustee, without the payment of any service charge, other than any tax or other governmental charge payable in connection therewith.

If specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, certain of our subsidiaries will guarantee the debt securities. The particular terms of any guarantee will be described in the related prospectus supplement.

Global Securities

Unless we inform you otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement, the debt securities of a series may be issued in whole or in part in the form of one or more global securities that will be deposited with, or on behalf of, a depositary identified in the applicable prospectus supplement. Global securities will be issued in registered form and in either temporary or definitive form. Unless and until

it is exchanged in whole or in part for the individual debt securities, a global security may not be transferred except as a whole by the depositary for such global security to a nominee of such depositary or by a nominee of such depositary to such depositary or another nominee of such depositary or by such depositary or any such nominee to a successor of such depositary or a nominee of such successor. The specific terms of the depositary arrangement with respect to any debt securities of a series and the rights of and limitations upon holders of beneficial interests in a global security will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement.

Governing Law

The indenture and the debt securities will be construed in accordance with and governed by the laws of the State of New York, without regard to conflicts of laws principles thereof.

DESCRIPTION OF WARRANTS

General

The following summary of certain provisions of the warrants does not purport to be complete and is subject to, and qualified in its entirety by reference to, the provisions of the warrant agreement that will be filed with the SEC in connection with the offering of such warrants.

We may issue warrants for the purchase of debt securities, preferred stock or common stock. Warrants may be issued independently or together with debt securities, preferred stock or common stock offered by any prospectus supplement and may be attached to or separate from any such offered securities. Each series of warrants will be issued under a separate warrant agreement to be entered into between the Company and a bank or trust company, as warrant agent. The warrant agent will act solely as the Company’s agent in connection with the warrants and will not assume any obligation or relationship of agency or trust for or with any holders or beneficial owners of warrants.

Debt Warrants

The prospectus supplement relating to a particular issue of debt warrants will describe the terms of such debt warrants, including the following: (a) the title of such debt warrants; (b) the offering price for such debt warrants, if any; (c) the aggregate number of such debt warrants; (d) the designation and terms of the debt securities purchasable upon exercise of such debt warrants; (e) if applicable, the designation and terms of the debt securities with which such debt warrants are issued and the number of such debt warrants issued with each such debt security; (f) if applicable, the date from and after which such debt warrants and any debt securities issued therewith will be separately transferable; (g) the principal amount of debt securities purchasable upon exercise of a debt warrant and the price at which such principal amount of debt securities may be purchased upon exercise (which price may be payable in cash, securities, or other property); (h) the date on which the right to exercise such debt warrants shall commence and the date on which such right shall expire; (i) if applicable, the minimum or maximum amount of such debt warrants that may be exercised at any one time; (j) whether the debt warrants represented by the debt warrant certificates or debt securities that may be issued upon exercise of the debt warrants will be issued in registered or bearer form; (k) information with respect to book-entry procedures, if any; (1) the currency or currency units in which the offering price, if any, and the exercise price are payable; (m) if applicable, a discussion of material United States federal income tax considerations; (n) the anti-dilution provisions of such debt warrants, if any; (o) the redemption or call provisions, if any, applicable to such debt warrants; (p) any provisions for changes to or adjustments in the exercise price for the debt warrants; and (q) any additional terms of such debt warrants, including terms, procedures, and limitations relating to the exchange and exercise of such debt warrants.

Stock Warrants

The prospectus supplement relating to any particular issue of preferred stock warrants or common stock warrants will describe the terms of such warrants, including the following: (a) the title of such warrants; (b) the offering price for such warrants, if any; (c) the aggregate number of such warrants; (d) the designation and terms of the common stock or preferred stock purchasable upon exercise of such warrants; (e) if applicable, the designation and terms of the offered securities with which such warrants are issued and the number of such warrants issued with each such offered security; (f) if applicable, the date from and after which such warrants and any offered securities issued therewith will be separately transferable; (g) the number of shares of common stock or preferred stock purchasable upon exercise of a warrant and the price at which such shares may be purchased upon exercise; (h) the date on which the right to exercise such warrants shall commence and the date on which such right shall expire; (i) if applicable, the minimum or maximum number of such warrants that may be exercised at any one time; (j) the currency or currency units in which the offering price, if any, and the exercise price are payable; (k) if applicable, a discussion of material United States federal income tax considerations; (l) the anti-dilution provisions of such warrants, if any; (m) the redemption or call provisions, if any, applicable to such warrants; (m) any provisions for changes to or adjustments in the exercise price for the stock warrants; and (n) any additional terms of such warrants, including terms, procedures and limitations relating to the exchange and exercise of such warrants.

DESCRIPTION OF SUBSCRIPTION RIGHTS

The following is a general description of the terms of the subscription rights we may issue from time to time. Particular terms of any subscription rights we offer will be described in the prospectus supplement relating to such subscription rights.

We may issue subscription rights to purchase our equity or debt securities. These subscription rights may be issued independently or together with any other security offered hereby and may or may not be transferable by the stockholder receiving the subscription rights in such offering. In connection with any offering of subscription rights, we may enter into a standby arrangement with one or more underwriters or other purchasers pursuant to which the underwriters or other purchasers may be required to purchase any securities remaining unsubscribed for after such offering.

The applicable prospectus supplement will describe the specific terms of any offering of subscription rights for which this prospectus is being delivered, including the following:

•

the price, if any, for the subscription rights;

•

the exercise price payable for our equity or debt securities upon the exercise of the subscription rights;

•

the number of subscription rights issued to each stockholder;

•

the amount of our equity or debt securities that may be purchased per each subscription right;

•

the extent to which the subscription rights are transferable;

•

any other terms of the subscription rights, including the terms, procedures and limitations relating to the exchange and exercise of the subscription rights;

•

the date on which the right to exercise the subscription rights shall commence, and the date on which the subscription rights shall expire;

•

the extent to which the subscription rights may include an over-subscription privilege with respect to unsubscribed securities; and

•

if applicable, the material terms of any standby underwriting or purchase arrangement entered into by us in connection with the offering of subscription rights.

The description in the applicable prospectus supplement of any subscription rights we offer will not necessarily be complete and will be qualified in its entirety by reference to the applicable subscription rights certificate or subscription rights agreement, which will be filed with the SEC as an exhibit to or incorporated by reference in the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part.

DESCRIPTION OF DEPOSITARY SHARES

We may offer fractional shares of our preferred stock, rather than whole shares of our preferred stock. In the event we do so, we will issue receipts for depositary shares, each of which will represent a fraction (to be set forth in the prospectus supplement relating to offering of the depositary shares) of a share of the related series of preferred stock.

The shares of our preferred stock represented by depositary shares will be deposited under a deposit agreement between us and a bank or trust company selected by us having its principal office in the United States and that meets certain other requirements. Subject to the terms of the deposit agreement, each owner of a depositary share will be entitled, in proportion to the applicable fraction of a share of preferred stock, represented by the depositary share to all of the rights and preferences of the preferred stock represented by the depositary shares (including dividend, voting, redemption, conversion and liquidation rights).

The above description of depositary shares is only a summary, is not complete and is subject to, and is qualified in its entirety by the description in the applicable prospectus supplement and the provisions of the deposit agreement, which will contain the form of depository receipt. A copy of the deposit agreement will be filed with the SEC as an exhibit to or incorporated by reference in the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part.

DESCRIPTION OF PURCHASE CONTRACTS

We may issue purchase contracts, including contracts obligating holders to purchase from or sell to us, and for us to sell to or purchase from the holders, a specified principal amount of debt securities or a specified number of shares of common stock, shares of preferred stock or depositary shares at a future date or dates. The consideration for the debt securities, common stock, preferred stock or depositary shares and the principal amount of debt securities or number of shares of each may be fixed at the time the purchase contracts are issued or may be determined by reference to a specific formula set forth in the purchase contracts. The purchase contracts may be issued separately or as part of units, often known as purchase units, consisting of a purchase contract and other securities or obligations issued by us or third parties, including U.S. Treasury securities, which may secure the holders’ obligations to purchase the debt securities, common stock, preferred stock or depositary shares under the purchase contracts. The purchase contracts may require us to make periodic payments to the holders of the purchase contracts or units or vice versa, and these payments may be unsecured or prefunded on some basis. The purchase contracts may require holders to secure their obligations under those contracts in a specified manner.

The applicable prospectus supplement will describe the terms of the purchase contracts and purchase units, including, if applicable, collateral or depositary arrangements.

DESCRIPTION OF UNITS

We may issue units comprised of one or more of the other securities that may be offered under this prospectus, in any combination. Each unit will be issued so that the holder of the unit is also the holder of each security included in the unit. Thus, the holder of a unit will have the rights and obligations of a holder of each included security. The unit agreement under which a unit is issued may provide that the securities included in the unit may not be held or transferred separately at any time, or at any time before a specified date.

The applicable prospectus supplement will describe the terms of any unit. The description in the prospectus supplement will not purport to be complete and will be qualified in its entirety by reference to units, the collateral arrangements and depositary arrangements, if applicable, relating to such units and, if applicable, the prepaid securities and the documents pursuant to which such prepaid securities will be issued. The applicable prospectus supplement will also describe the material United States federal income tax considerations applicable to the units.

PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

The securities being offered by this prospectus may be sold by us or by a selling stockholder:

•

through agents;

•

to or through underwriters;

•

through broker-dealers (acting as agent or principal);

•

directly by us or a selling stockholder to purchasers, through a specific bidding or auction process or otherwise;

•

through a combination of any such methods of sale; and/or

•

through any other methods described in a prospectus supplement.

The distribution of securities may be effected from time to time in one or more transactions, including block transactions and transactions on The Nasdaq Stock Market or any other organized market where the securities may be traded. The securities may be sold at a fixed price or prices, which may be changed, or at market prices prevailing at the time of sale, at prices relating to the prevailing market prices or at negotiated prices. The consideration may be cash or another form negotiated by the parties. Agents, underwriters or broker-dealers may be paid compensation for offering and selling the securities. That compensation may be in the form of discounts, concessions or commissions to be received from us or from the purchasers of the securities. Dealers and agents participating in the distribution of the securities may be deemed to be underwriters, and compensation received by them on resale of the securities may be deemed to be underwriting discounts. If such dealers or agents were deemed to be underwriters, they may be subject to statutory liabilities under the Securities Act.

Agents may from time to time solicit offers to purchase the securities. If required, we will name in the applicable prospectus supplement any agent involved in the offer or sale of the securities and set forth any compensation payable to the agent. Unless otherwise indicated in the prospectus

supplement, any agent will be acting on a best efforts basis for the period of its appointment. Any agent selling the securities covered by this prospectus may be deemed to be an underwriter, as that term is defined in the Securities Act, of the securities.

If underwriters are used in a sale, securities will be acquired by the underwriters for their own account and may be resold from time to time in one or more transactions, including negotiated transactions, at a fixed public offering price or at varying prices determined at the time of sale, or under delayed delivery contracts or other contractual commitments. Securities may be offered to the public either through underwriting syndicates represented by one or more managing underwriters or directly by one or more firms acting as underwriters. If an underwriter or underwriters are used in the sale of securities, an underwriting agreement will be executed with the underwriter or underwriters at the time an agreement for the sale is reached. The applicable prospectus supplement will set forth the managing underwriter or underwriters, as well as any other underwriter or underwriters, with respect to a particular underwritten offering of securities, and will set forth the terms of the transactions, including compensation of the underwriters and dealers and the public offering price, if applicable. The prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement will be used by the underwriters to resell the securities.

If a dealer is used in the sale of the securities, we, a selling stockholder, or an underwriter will sell the securities to the dealer, as principal. The dealer may then resell the securities to the public at varying prices to be determined by the dealer at the time of resale. To the extent required, we will set forth in the prospectus supplement the name of the dealer and the terms of the transactions.

We or a selling stockholder may directly solicit offers to purchase the securities and we or a selling stockholder may make sales of securities directly to institutional investors or others. These persons may be deemed to be underwriters within the meaning of the Securities Act with respect to any resale of the securities. To the extent required, the prospectus supplement will describe the terms of any such sales, including the terms of any bidding or auction process, if used.

We may enter into derivative or hedging transactions with third parties, or sell securities not covered by this prospectus to third parties in privately negotiated transactions. In connection with such a transaction, the third parties may sell securities covered by and pursuant to this prospectus and an applicable prospectus supplement or pricing supplement, as the case may be. If so, the third party may use securities borrowed from us or others to settle such sales and may use securities received from us to close out any related short positions. We may also loan or pledge securities covered by this prospectus and an applicable prospectus supplement to third parties, who may sell the loaned securities or, in an event of default in the case of a pledge, sell the pledged securities pursuant to this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement or pricing supplement, as the case may be.

Agents, underwriters and dealers may be entitled under agreements which may be entered into with us to indemnification by us against specified liabilities, including liabilities incurred under the Securities Act, or to contribution by us to payments they may be required to make in respect of such liabilities. If required, the prospectus supplement will describe the terms and conditions of such indemnification or contribution. Some of the agents, underwriters or dealers, or their affiliates may be customers of, engage in transactions with or perform services for us or our subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business.

Under the securities laws of some states, the securities offered by this prospectus may be sold in those states only through registered or licensed brokers or dealers.

Any person participating in the distribution of common stock registered under the registration statement that includes this prospectus will be subject to applicable provisions of the Exchange Act,

and the applicable SEC rules and regulations, including, among others, Regulation M, which may limit the timing of purchases and sales of any of our common stock by any such person. Furthermore, Regulation M may restrict the ability of any person engaged in the distribution of our common stock to engage in market-making activities with respect to our common stock. These restrictions may affect the marketability of our common stock and the ability of any person or entity to engage in market-making activities with respect to our common stock.

Certain persons participating in an offering may engage in over-allotment, stabilizing transactions, short-covering transactions and penalty bids in accordance with Regulation M under the Exchange Act that stabilize, maintain or otherwise affect the price of the offered securities. If any such activities will occur, they will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement.

LEGAL MATTERS

In connection with particular offerings of our securities in the future, and unless otherwise indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, the validity of those securities will be passed upon for us by Ballard Spahr LLP, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Additional legal matters may be passed on for us, or any underwriters, dealers or agents, by counsel that we will name in the applicable prospectus supplement.

EXPERTS

The consolidated financial statements of Nasdaq, Inc. appearing in Nasdaq, Inc.’s Annual Report (Form 10-K) for the year ended December 31, 2017, and the effectiveness of Nasdaq, Inc.’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2017, have been audited by Ernst & Young LLP, independent registered public accounting firm, as set forth in their reports thereon, included therein, and incorporated herein by reference. Such consolidated financial statements are incorporated herein by reference in reliance upon such reports given on the authority of such firm as experts in accounting and auditing.

LOGO

PROSPECTUS

April 27, 2018

PART II. INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS

Item 14.

Other Expenses of Issuance and Distribution:

The expenses in connection with the issuance and distribution of the securities being registered, other than underwriting discounts and commissions, are set forth in the following table. Each amount, except for the SEC registration fee, is estimated.


SEC Registration Fee	$	⁽¹⁾
Accountants’ Fees and Expenses		⁽²⁾
Legal Fees and Expenses		⁽²⁾
Printing and Engraving Fees		⁽²⁾
Rating Agency Fees		⁽²⁾
Trustee and Transfer Agent Fees		⁽²⁾
Miscellaneous Expenses		⁽²⁾

Total Expenses	$	⁽²⁾

(1)	In accordance with Rules 456(b) and 457(r), we are deferring payment of all of the registration fee.

(2)	Cannot be estimated at this time. An estimate of the aggregate amount of these expenses and fees will be reflected in the applicable prospectus supplement or as an exhibit to a Current Report on Form 8-K in reference to the specific offering of securities, if any, to which it relates.

Item 15.

Indemnification of Directors and Officers.

Set forth below is a description of certain provisions of the Certificate and the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, or DGCL, as such provisions relate to the indemnification of the directors and officers of Nasdaq, Inc. This description is intended only as a summary and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the Certificate and the DGCL.

The Certificate provides that Nasdaq, Inc. shall, to the full extent permitted by Sections 102 and 145 of the DGCL, indemnify all persons whom it may indemnify pursuant thereto and eliminates the personal liability of its directors to the full extent permitted by Section 102(b)(7) of the DGCL.

Section 145 of the DGCL permits a corporation to indemnify its directors and officers against expenses (including attorneys’ fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlements actually and reasonably incurred by them in connection with any action, suit or proceeding brought by third parties, if such directors or officers acted in good faith and in a manner they reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, if they had no reasonable cause to believe their conduct was unlawful. In an action by or in the right of the corporation, indemnification may be made only for expenses actually and reasonably incurred by directors and officers in connection with the defense or settlement of an action or suit, and only with respect to a matter as to which they shall have acted in good faith and in a manner they reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation, except that no indemnification shall be made if such person shall have been adjudged liable to the corporation, although the court in which the action or suit was brought or the Delaware Court of Chancery may determine upon application that the defendant officers or directors are reasonably entitled to indemnity for such expenses despite such adjudication of liability.

Section 102(b)(7) of the DGCL provides that a corporation may eliminate or limit the personal liability of a director to the corporation or its stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director, provided that such provision shall not eliminate or limit the liability of a director (i)

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for any breach of the director’s duty of loyalty to the corporation or its stockholders, (ii) for acts or omissions not in good faith or which involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law, (iii) under Section 174 of the DGCL, or (iv) for any transaction from which the director derived an improper personal benefit. No such provision shall eliminate or limit the ability of a director for any act or omission occurring prior to the date when such provision becomes effective.

Item 16.

Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules.

(a) Exhibits:

A list of exhibits filed herewith is contained on the Index to Exhibits and is incorporated herein by reference.

The agreements included or incorporated by reference as exhibits to this registration statement may contain representations and warranties by one or more of the parties to the applicable agreement. These representations and warranties were made solely for the benefit of the other parties to the applicable agreement and (i) were not intended to be treated as categorical statements of fact, but rather as a way of allocating the risk to one of the parties if those statements prove to be inaccurate; (ii) may have been qualified in such agreement by disclosures that were made to the other party in connection with the negotiation of the applicable agreement; (iii) may apply contract standards of “materiality” that are different from “materiality” under the applicable securities laws; and (iv) were made only as of the date of the applicable agreement or such other date or dates as may be specified in the agreement.

Nasdaq, Inc. acknowledges that, notwithstanding the inclusion of the foregoing cautionary statements, it is responsible for considering whether additional specific disclosures of material information regarding material contractual provisions are required to make the statements in this registration statement not misleading.

(b) Financial Statement Schedules:

All schedules for which provision is made in the applicable accounting regulations of the SEC have been omitted because they are not required, amounts that would otherwise be required to be shown regarding any item are not material, are inapplicable, or the required information has already been provided elsewhere in the registration statement.

Item 17.

Undertakings.

The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes:

(1)

To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made of the securities registered hereby, a post-effective amendment to this registration statement:

(i)

To include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act of 1933;

(ii)

To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective date of the registration statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment thereof) that, individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in this registration statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any increase or decrease in volume of securities offered (if the total dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that which was registered)

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and any deviation from the low or high end of the estimated maximum offering range may be reflected in the form of prospectus filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume and price represent no more than 20 percent change in the maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the “Calculation of Registration Fee” table in the effective registration statement; and

(iii)

To include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in the registration statement or any material change to such information in the registration statement.

provided, however, that the undertakings set forth in paragraphs (1)(i), (1)(ii) and (1)(iii) above do not apply if the information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained in periodic reports filed with or furnished to the SEC by the registrant pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act that are incorporated by reference in this registration statement, or is contained in a form of prospectus filed pursuant to Rule 424(b) that is part of the registration statement.

(2)

That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act, each such post-effective amendment 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.

(3)

To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the offering.

(4)

That, for the purpose of determining liability under the Securities Act of 1933 to any purchaser:

(i)

Each prospectus filed by the registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b)(3) shall be deemed to be part of the registration statement as of the date the filed prospectus was deemed part of and included in the registration statement; and

(ii)

Each prospectus required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424(b)(2), (b)(5), or (b)(7) as part of a registration statement in reliance on Rule 430B relating to an offering made pursuant to Rule 415(a)(1)(i), (vii), or (x) for the purpose of providing the information required by section 10(a) of the Securities Act of 1933 shall be deemed to be part of and included in the registration statement as of the earlier of the date such form of prospectus is first used after effectiveness or the date of the first contract of sale of securities in the offering described in the prospectus. As provided in Rule 430B, for liability purposes of the issuer and any person that is at that date an underwriter, such date shall be deemed to be a new effective date of the registration statement relating to the securities in the registration statement to which that prospectus relates, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof. Provided, however, that no statement made in a registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement or made in a document incorporated or deemed incorporated by reference into the registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement will, as to a purchaser with a time of contract of sale prior to such effective date, supersede or modify any statement that was made in the registration statement or prospectus that was part of the registration statement or made in any such document immediately prior to such effective date.

II-3

(5)

That, for the purpose of determining liability of the registrant under the Securities Act of 1933 to any purchaser in the initial distribution of the securities, the undersigned registrant undertakes that in a primary offering of securities of the undersigned registrant pursuant to this registration statement, regardless of the underwriting method used to sell the securities to the purchaser, if the securities are offered or sold to such purchaser by means of any of the following communications, the undersigned registrant will be a seller to the purchaser and will be considered to offer or sell such securities to such purchaser:

(i)

Any preliminary prospectus or prospectus of the undersigned registrant relating to the offering required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424;

(ii)

Any free writing prospectus relating to the offering prepared by or on behalf of the undersigned registrant or used or referred to by the undersigned registrant;

(iii)

The portion of any other free writing prospectus relating to the offering containing material information about the undersigned registrant or its securities provided by or on behalf of the undersigned registrant; and

(iv)

Any other communication that is an offer in the offering made by the undersigned registrant to the purchaser.

(6)

To supplement the prospectus, after the expiration of the subscription period, to set forth the results of the subscription offer, the transactions by the underwriters during the subscription period, the amount of unsubscribed securities to be purchased by the underwriters, and the terms of any subsequent reoffering thereof. If any public offering by the underwriters is to be made on terms differing from those set forth on the cover page of the prospectus, a post-effective amendment will be filed to set forth the terms of such offering.

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 that is incorporated by reference in the registration statement will be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time will be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

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 SEC 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 their counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by them is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.

II-4

INDEX TO EXHIBITS


Exhibit Number		Description

1.1		Form of Underwriting Agreement for preferred stock and depositary shares.*

1.2		Form of Underwriting Agreement for common stock.*

1.3		Form of Underwriting Agreement for warrants.*

1.4		Form of Underwriting Agreement for purchase contracts.*

1.5		Form of Underwriting Agreement for debt securities.*

3.1		Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Nasdaq (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed on January 28, 2014).

3.1.1		Certificate of Elimination of Nasdaq’s Series A Convertible Preferred Stock (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3.1.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed on January 28, 2014).

3.1.2		Certificate of Amendment of Nasdaq’s Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed on November 19, 2014).

3.1.3		Certificate of Amendment of Nasdaq’s Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed on September 8, 2015).

3.2		Nasdaq’s By-Laws (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed on November 21, 2016).

4.1		Form of Common Stock certificate (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2015 filed on November 4, 2015).

4.2		Indenture, dated as of January 15, 2010, between Nasdaq, Inc. (f/k/a The NASDAQ OMX Group, Inc.) and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as Trustee (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed on January 19, 2010).

4.3		First Supplemental Indenture, dated as of January 15, 2010, among Nasdaq, Inc. (f/k/a The NASDAQ OMX Group, Inc.) and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as Trustee (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed on January 19, 2010).

4.4		Indenture, dated as of June 7, 2013, between Nasdaq, Inc. (f/k/a The NASDAQ OMX Group, Inc.) and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as Trustee (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed on June 10, 2013).

4.5		First Supplemental Indenture, dated as of June 7, 2013, among Nasdaq, Inc. (f/k/a The NASDAQ OMX Group, Inc.), Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as Trustee, Deutsche Bank AG, London Branch, as paying agent, and Deutsche Bank Luxembourg S.A., as registrar and transfer agent (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed on June 10, 2013).

4.6		Second Supplemental Indenture, dated as of May 29, 2014, among Nasdaq, Inc. (f/k/a The NASDAQ OMX Group, Inc.) and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as Trustee (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed on May 30, 2014).

4.7		Third Supplemental Indenture, dated as of May 20, 2016, among Nasdaq, Inc., Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as Trustee, and HSBC Bank USA, National Association, as paying agent and as registrar and transfer agent (incorporated herein by reference to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed on May 23, 2016).

II-5


Exhibit Number		Description

4.8		Fourth Supplemental Indenture, dated as of June 7, 2016, among Nasdaq, Inc. and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as Trustee (incorporated herein by reference to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed on June 7, 2016).

4.9		Fifth Supplemental Indenture, dated as of September 22, 2017, among Nasdaq, Inc. and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as Trustee (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed on September 22, 2017).

4.10		Stockholders’ Agreement, dated as of February 27, 2008, between Nasdaq, Inc. (f/k/a The NASDAQ OMX Group, Inc.) and Borse Dubai Limited (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed on March 3, 2008).

4.10.1		First Amendment to Stockholders’ Agreement, dated as of February 19, 2009, between Nasdaq, Inc. (f/k/a The NASDAQ OMX Group, Inc.) and Borse Dubai Limited (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.10.1 to the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008 filed on February 27, 2009).

4.11		Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of February 27, 2008, among Nasdaq, Inc. (f/k/a The NASDAQ OMX Group, Inc.), Borse Dubai Limited and Borse Dubai Nasdaq Share Trust (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed on March 3, 2008).

4.11.1		First Amendment to Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of February 19, 2009, among Nasdaq, Inc. (f/k/a The NASDAQ OMX Group, Inc.), Borse Dubai Limited and Borse Dubai Nasdaq Share Trust (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.11.1 to the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008 filed on February 27, 2009).

4.12		Stockholders’ Agreement, dated as of December 16, 2010, between Nasdaq, Inc. (f/k/a The NASDAQ OMX Group, Inc.) and Investor AB (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.12 to the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010 filed on February 24, 2011).

4.13		Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of June 28, 2013, by and among Nasdaq, Inc. (f/k/a The NASDAQ OMX Group, Inc.), BGC Partners, Inc., BGC Holdings, L.P. and BGC Partners, L.P. (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed on July 1, 2013).

4.14		Form of Stock Warrant Agreement.*

4.15		Form of Stock Warrant Certificate.*

4.16		Form of Subscription Rights Agreement.*

4.17		Form of Subscription Rights Certificate.*

4.18		Form of Unit Agreement.*

4.19		Form of Unit Certificate.*

4.20		Form of Deposit Agreement for Depositary Shares.*

4.21		Form of Purchase Contract.*

5.1		Opinion of Ballard Spahr LLP.**

12.1		Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges.**

23.1		Consent of Ernst & Young LLP, independent accountants.**

23.2		Consent of Ballard Spahr LLP (included in Exhibit 5.1).

24.1		Powers of Attorney (included on signature pages).

25.1		Statement of Eligibility under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 (Form T-1) of Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, Trustee under the Indenture.**

*	To be filed, if necessary, by amendment or as an exhibit to a Current Report on Form 8-K and incorporated by reference herein.

**	Filed herewith.

II-6

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-3 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 27^th day of April, 2018.


Nasdaq, Inc.

By:		/s/ Adena T. Friedman
Name:		Adena T. Friedman
Title:		President and Chief Executive Officer

SIGNATURES AND POWERS OF ATTORNEY

KNOW ALL BY THESE PRESENTS, that the undersigned, an executive officer or director of Nasdaq, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), does hereby constitute and appoint Edward S. Knight and Joan C. Conley, and each of them, severally, the true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full power of substitution and resubstitution and authority to act in any and all capacities for and in the name, place and stead, of the undersigned to do or cause to be done any and all acts and things and to execute and deliver 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-3 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 an executive officer or director of the Company, the Registration Statement on Form S-3 to which this power of attorney is filed as an exhibit, a Registration Statement under Rule 462(b) of the Securities Act, a Registration Statement under Rule 415 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, exhibits, qualifications, notifications, 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. The undersigned hereby ratifies, confirms, and adopts, as his or her own act and deed, all action lawfully taken by such attorneys-in-fact and agents, or any of them, or by their respective substitutes, pursuant to the powers and authorities herein granted.

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this registration statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.


Signature	Title	Date

/s/ Adena T. Friedman Adena T. Friedman	President and Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer) and Director	April 27, 2018

/s/ Michael Ptasznik Michael Ptasznik	Executive Vice President, Corporate Strategy and Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial Officer)	April 27, 2018

/s/ Ann M. Dennison Ann M. Dennison	Senior Vice President and Controller (Principal Accounting Officer)	April 27, 2018

/s/ Michael R. Splinter Michael R. Splinter	Chairman of the Board of Directors	April 27, 2018

/s/ Melissa M. Arnoldi Melissa M. Arnoldi	Director	April 27, 2018

/s/ Charlene T. Begley Charlene T. Begley	Director	April 27, 2018

/s/ Steven D. Black Steven D. Black	Director	April 27, 2018

/s/ Essa Kazim Essa Kazim	Director	April 27, 2018

/s/ Thomas A. Kloet Thomas A. Kloet	Director	April 27, 2018

/s/ John D. Rainey John D. Rainey	Director	April 27, 2018

/s/ Jacob Wallenberg Jacob Wallenberg	Director	April 27, 2018

/s/ Lars R. Wedenborn Lars R. Wedenborn	Director	April 27, 2018

EX-5.1

Exhibit 5.1

LOGO

1735 Market Street, 51st Floor

Philadelphia, PA 19103-7599

TEL 215.665.8500

FAX 215.864.8999

www.ballardspahr.com

April 27, 2018

Nasdaq, Inc.

One Liberty Plaza

New York, NY 10006

Re:

Nasdaq, Inc. - Registration Statement on Form S-3

Ladies and Gentlemen:

We have acted as counsel to Nasdaq, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), in connection with the preparation and filing of its registration statement on Form S-3 (the “Registration Statement”), filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), relating to the offering from time to time, together or separately and in one or more series (if applicable), of an indeterminate amount of the following securities of the Company: (i) shares of common stock, $0.01 par value per share (the “Common Stock”); (ii) shares of preferred stock, $0.01 par value per share (the “Preferred Stock”); (iii) debt securities (the “Debt Securities”), which may be senior, subordinated or junior subordinated, which may be guaranteed by certain of the Company’s subsidiaries (the “Guarantees of Debt Securities”) and which may be convertible into Common Stock or Preferred Stock; (iv) warrants to purchase securities of the Company (the “Warrants”); (v) subscription rights to purchase securities of the Company (the “Subscription Rights”); (vi) fractional shares of the Company’s Preferred Stock represented by depositary shares (the “Depositary Shares”) evidenced by depositary receipts; (vii) purchase contracts obligating the Company to buy or sell Debt Securities, Common Stock, Preferred Stock or Depositary Shares from or to the holder (the “Purchase Contracts”); and (viii) units consisting of a combination of one or more of the above securities in any combination (“Units,” and together with the Common Stock, Preferred Stock, Debt Securities, Guarantees of Debt Securities, Warrants, Subscription Rights, Depositary Shares and Purchase Contracts, the “Securities”), all of which may be offered and sold by the Company from time to time on a delayed or continuous basis in accordance with Rule 415 promulgated under the Securities Act, as set forth in the prospectus which forms a part of the Registration Statement, and as to be set forth in one or more supplements to the prospectus.

Nasdaq, Inc.

April 27, 2018

Page 2

As counsel for the Company, we have examined the Registration Statement and originals or copies, certified or otherwise identified to our satisfaction, of such agreements, instruments, documents, certificates and records as we have deemed relevant and necessary for the basis of our opinions hereinafter expressed. In such examination, we have assumed: (i) the authenticity of original documents and the genuineness of all signatures; (ii) the conformity to the originals of all documents submitted to us as copies; (iii) the truth, accuracy and completeness of the information, representations and warranties contained in the agreements, instruments, documents, certificates and records that we have reviewed; and (iv) the legal capacity of all natural persons. As to all matters of fact, we have relied on the representations and statements of fact made in the documents so reviewed, and we have not independently established or verified the facts so relied on. This opinion letter is given, and all statements herein are made, in the context of the foregoing.

For purposes of this opinion letter, we have assumed that: (i) the issuance, sale, amount and terms of any Securities of the Company to be offered from time to time under the Registration Statement will have been duly authorized and established by proper action of the Board of Directors of the Company or a duly authorized committee of the Board of Directors (“Board Action”) in accordance with the Company’s Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, as amended and supplemented (the “Certificate”), and bylaws of the Company and applicable provisions of Delaware corporate law, in a manner that does not violate any law, government or court-imposed order or restriction or agreement or instrument then binding on the Company or otherwise impair the valid or binding nature of the obligations represented by the applicable Securities; (ii) at the time of offer, issuance and sale of any Securities, the Registration Statement, and any amendments thereto (including post-effective amendments), will have become automatically effective upon filing with the Commission under the Securities Act, and no stop order suspending its effectiveness will have been issued and remain in effect; (iii) a prospectus supplement will have been filed with the Commission describing the Securities offered thereby; (iv) all Securities will be issued and sold in compliance with applicable U.S. federal and state securities laws and in the manner stated in the Registration Statement and the applicable prospectus supplement; (v) prior to the issuance of any Securities, a definitive purchase, underwriting or similar agreement with respect to any Securities offered will have been duly authorized and validly executed and delivered by the Company and the other parties thereto; (vi) any Debt Securities will be issued pursuant to the Indenture, entered into by and between the Company and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as trustee (the “Trustee”) which is on file with the Commission and as amended or supplemented from time to time in accordance with its terms (the “Indenture”); (vii) any Guarantees of the Debt Securities will be issued pursuant to one or more guarantees or guarantee agreements, each to be between the Company and one or more guarantors to be identified therein, which may include certain of the Company’s subsidiaries; (viii) any Warrants will be issued under one or more warrant agreements, each to be between the Company and a financial institution identified therein as warrant agent; (ix) any Subscription Rights will be issued pursuant to one or more subscription agreements to be entered into between the Company and the financial institution identified therein; (x) any Depositary Shares will be issued under one or more deposit agreements by the financial institution identified therein as depositary, each deposit agreement to be between the Company and the financial

Nasdaq, Inc.

April 27, 2018

Page 3

institution identified therein as depositary; (xi) any Purchase Contracts will be issued pursuant to one or more purchase contract agreements or governing instruments or other agreements, each to be entered into between the Company and one or more institutions, as purchase contract agent on behalf of the holders from time to time of the Purchase Contracts; (xii) any Units will be issued pursuant to one or more unit agreements proposed to be entered into by the Company, a bank or trust company, as unit agent and the holders from time to time of the Units; (xiii) if being sold by the issuer thereof, the Securities will be delivered against payment of valid consideration therefor and in accordance with the terms of the applicable Board Action authorizing such sale and any applicable underwriting agreement or purchase agreement and as contemplated by the Registration Statement and/or the applicable prospectus supplement; (xiv) the Company will remain a Delaware corporation; (xv) upon the issuance of any Common Stock, including Common Stock which may be issued upon conversion or exercise of any other Securities convertible into or exercisable for Common Stock (“Common Securities”), the total number of shares of Common Stock issued and outstanding will not exceed the total number of shares of Common Stock that the Company is then authorized to issue under the Certificate; (xvi) upon the issuance of any Securities that are shares of Preferred Stock, including any Preferred Stock deposited in connection with the issuance of any Depositary Shares and any Preferred Stock which may be issued upon conversion or exercise of any other Securities convertible into or exercisable for Preferred Stock (“Preferred Securities”), the total number of shares of Preferred Stock issued and outstanding, and the total number of issued and outstanding shares of the applicable class or series of Preferred Stock designated pursuant to the Certificate, will not exceed the total number of shares of Preferred Stock or the number of shares of such class or series of Preferred Stock that the Company is then authorized to issue under the Certificate; (xvii) with respect to any Preferred Securities, a Certificate of Designation setting forth the number of shares and the terms of any class or series of Preferred Stock to be issued by the Company will be filed with and accepted for recording by the Delaware Secretary of State prior to their issuance (the “Preferred Filings”); (xviii) the terms of the Securities will conform in all material respects to the respective descriptions thereof in the Prospectus which is part of the Registration Statement; (xix) certificates, if required, representing the Securities will be duly executed and delivered and, to the extent required by any applicable agreement, duly authenticated and countersigned; (xx) the laws of the State of New York will be the governing law with respect to any guarantee or guarantee agreement, deposit agreement, warrant agreement, purchase contract agreement and unit agreement; and (xxi) any Securities convertible into or exercisable, exchangeable or redeemable for any other Securities will be duly converted, exercised, exchanged or redeemed in accordance with their terms.

To the extent that the obligations of the Company with respect to the Securities may be dependent upon such matters, we assume for purposes of this opinion that the other party under the Indenture, under the guarantee for any Guarantees of the Debt Securities, under the subscription rights agreement for any Subscription Rights, under the deposit agreement for any Depositary Shares, under the warrant agreement for any Warrants, under the purchase contract agreement for any Purchase Contracts and under the unit agreement for any Units, namely, the Trustee, the guarantor, the depositary, the subscription agent, the warrant agent, the purchase contract agent or the unit agent, respectively, is duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of its jurisdiction of organization; that such other party will be duly qualified to

Nasdaq, Inc.

April 27, 2018

Page 4

engage in the activities contemplated by such Indenture, guarantee, subscription rights agreement, deposit agreement, warrant agreement, purchase contract agreement or unit agreement, as applicable; that such Indenture, guarantee, subscription rights agreement, deposit agreement, warrant agreement, purchase contract agreement or unit agreement, as applicable, will have been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the other party and will constitute the legal, valid and binding obligation of the other party enforceable against the other party in accordance with its terms; that such other party will be in compliance with respect to performance of its obligations under such Indenture, guarantee, subscription rights agreement, deposit agreement, warrant agreement, purchase contract agreement or unit agreement, as applicable, with all applicable laws and regulations; and that such other party will have the requisite organizational and legal power and authority to perform its obligations under such Indenture, guarantee, subscription rights agreement, deposit agreement, warrant agreement, purchase contract agreement or unit agreement, as applicable; and that a Statement of Eligibility of the Trustee on Form T-1 has been properly filed with the Commission.

Based upon, subject to and limited by the foregoing, we are of the opinion that:

1. Upon completion of the Board Action, the Common Securities will be duly authorized and, when and if issued and delivered against payment therefor in accordance with the Registration Statement and the Board Action, will be validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable.

2. Upon the completion of the Board Action and the Preferred Filings relating to the Preferred Securities, the Preferred Securities will be duly authorized and, when and if issued and delivered against payment therefor in accordance with the Registration Statement and the Board Action and Preferred Filings, will be validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable.

3. Upon the completion of the Board Action and the due execution and delivery of the Indenture on behalf of the Company and the Trustee, the Debt Securities will be duly authorized and, upon the due authentication by the Trustee and due execution and delivery on behalf of the Company in accordance with the Indenture, will constitute valid and binding obligations of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with their terms.

4. Upon completion of the Board Action and the due execution and delivery of a guarantee or guarantee agreement relating thereto on behalf of the Company and the guarantor named therein and due authentication (if required) of the Guarantees of Debt Securities in accordance with the guarantee and related agreements, the Guarantees of Debt Securities will constitute valid and binding obligations of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with their terms.

5. Upon completion of the Board Action and the due execution and delivery of a warrant agreement relating thereto on behalf of the Company and the warrant agent named therein and due authentication of the Warrants by such warrant agent, and upon due execution and delivery of the Warrants on behalf of the Company, the Warrants will constitute valid and binding obligations of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with their terms.

Nasdaq, Inc.

April 27, 2018

Page 5

6. Upon completion of the Board Action and the due execution of a subscription rights agreement relating thereto on behalf of the Company and the subscription agent named therein, the Subscription Rights will constitute valid and binding obligations of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with their terms.

7. Upon completion of the Board Action and the due execution and delivery of a deposit agreement relating thereto on behalf of the Company and the depositary named therein and due countersignature thereof and issuance against a deposit of duly authorized and validly issued Preferred Stock in accordance with the deposit agreement relating thereto, the depositary receipts evidencing the Depositary Shares will be validly issued and entitle the holders thereof to the rights specified in such depositary receipts and deposit agreement.

8. Upon completion of the Board Action and the due execution and delivery of a purchase contract agreement relating thereto on behalf of the Company and the purchase contract agent named therein and due authentication of the Purchase Contracts by such purchase contract agent, and upon due execution and delivery of the Purchase Contracts on behalf of the Company, the Purchase Contracts will constitute valid and binding obligations of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with their terms.

9. Upon completion of the Board Action and the due execution and delivery of a unit agreement relating thereto on behalf of the Company and the unit agent named therein and due authentication of the Units by such unit agent, and upon due execution and delivery of the Units on behalf of the Company, the Units will constitute valid and binding obligations of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with their terms.

Our opinion that any document is legal, valid and binding is qualified as to:

(a) limitations imposed by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, arrangement, fraudulent conveyance, moratorium or other laws relating to or affecting the rights of creditors generally;

(b) rights to indemnification and contribution, which may be limited by applicable law or equitable principles; and

(c) general principles of equity, including without limitation concepts of materiality, reasonableness, good faith and fair dealing, and the possible unavailability of specific performance or injunctive relief and limitation of rights of acceleration, regardless of whether such enforceability is considered in a proceeding in equity or at law.

This opinion letter is based solely on (i) the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, as amended, (ii) applicable provisions of the laws of the State of New York (but not including any laws, statutes, ordinances, administrative decisions, rules or regulations of any political subdivision of the State of New York) and (iii) the federal securities laws of the United States of America, each as in effect on the date hereof. We express no opinion herein as to any other laws, statutes, ordinances, rules or regulations.

Nasdaq, Inc.

April 27, 2018

Page 6

This opinion letter has been prepared for your use in connection with the Registration Statement. We assume no obligation to advise you of any changes in the foregoing subsequent to the effective date of the Registration Statement.

We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion letter as Exhibit 5.1 to the Registration Statement with the Commission and to reference to us under the caption “Legal Matters” in the prospectus forming a part of the Registration Statement. In giving such consent, we do not hereby admit that we are acting within the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Securities Act or the rules or regulations of the Commission thereunder.

Sincerely,

/s/ Ballard Spahr LLP

EX-12.1

Exhibit 12.1

Nasdaq, Inc.

Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges

(Dollars in Millions)


	Year Ended December 31,
	2017			2016			2015			2014			2013
Determination of earnings:
Pre-tax income from continuing operations	$	880		$	136	⁽²⁾	$	630	⁽²⁾	$	594		$	600	⁽³⁾
Add: distributed income from equity investees		10			5			—			—			—
Add: fixed charges		162			151			127			134			126
Less: income from unconsolidated investees		(16	)		(9	)		(18	)		(2	)		—

Pre-tax earnings before fixed charges	$	1,036		$	283		$	739		$	726		$	726

Total fixed charges - interest expense⁽¹⁾	$	162		$	151		$	127		$	134		$	126

Ratio of earnings to fixed charges		6.40			1.87			5.82			5.42			5.76

⁽¹⁾	Consists of interest expense on all debt obligations (including accretion of debt issuance costs and debt discount) and the portion of operating lease rental expense that is representative of the interest factor.

⁽²⁾	Includes an asset impairment charge of $578 million in 2016 and costs of $41 million in 2016 and $172 million in 2015 associated with Nasdaq’s 2015 restructuring program that was announced in 2015.

⁽³⁾	Includes costs of $9 million in 2013 associated with Nasdaq’s 2012 restructuring program that was announced in 2012.

EX-23.1

Exhibit 23.1

Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

We consent to the reference to our firm under the caption “Experts” in this Registration Statement (Form S-3) and related Prospectus of Nasdaq, Inc. for the registration of debt securities, guarantees of debt securities, shares of preferred stock, shares of common stock, warrants, subscription rights, depositary shares, purchase contracts, and units and to the incorporation by reference therein of our reports dated February 28, 2018, with respect to the consolidated financial statements of Nasdaq, Inc. and the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting of Nasdaq, Inc. included in its Annual Report (Form 10-K) for the year ended December 31, 2017, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

/s/ Ernst & Young LLP

New York, New York

April 27, 2018

EX-25.1

Exhibit 25.1

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM T-1

STATEMENT OF ELIGIBILITY

UNDER THE TRUST INDENTURE ACT OF 1939

OF A CORPORATION DESIGNATED TO ACT AS TRUSTEE

☐	CHECK IF AN APPLICATION TO DETERMINE ELIGIBILITY OF A TRUSTEE PURSUANT TO SECTION 305(b) (2)

WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION

(Exact name of trustee as specified in its charter)


A National Banking Association		94-1347393
(Jurisdiction of incorporation or organization if not a U.S. national bank)		(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

101 North Phillips Avenue Sioux Falls, South Dakota		57104
(Address of principal executive offices)		(Zip code)

Wells Fargo & Company

Law Department, Trust Section

MAC N9305-175

Sixth Street and Marquette Avenue, 17^th Floor

Minneapolis, Minnesota 55479

(612) 667-4608

(Name, address and telephone number of agent for service)

Nasdaq, Inc.

(Exact name of obligor as specified in its charter)


Delaware		52-1165937
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)		(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

One Liberty Plaza New York, New York		10006
(Address of principal executive offices)		(Zip code)

Debt Securities

(Title of the indenture securities)

Item 1.

General Information. Furnish the following information as to the trustee:

(a)

Name and address of each examining or supervising authority to which it is subject.

Comptroller of the Currency

Treasury Department

Washington, D.C.

Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation

Washington, D.C.

Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco

San Francisco, California 94120

(b)

Whether it is authorized to exercise corporate trust powers.

The trustee is authorized to exercise corporate trust powers.

Item 2.

Affiliations with Obligor. If the obligor is an affiliate of the trustee, describe each such affiliation.

None with respect to the trustee.

No responses are included for Items 3-14 of this Form T-1 because the obligor is not in default as provided under Item 13.

Item 15.

Foreign Trustee. Not applicable.

Item 16.

List of Exhibits. List below all exhibits filed as a part of this Statement of Eligibility.

Exhibit 1. A copy of the Articles of Association of the trustee now in effect.*

Exhibit 2. A copy of the Comptroller of the Currency Certificate of Corporate Existence for Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, dated January 14, 2015.*

Exhibit 3. A copy of the Comptroller of the Currency Certification of Fiduciary Powers for Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, dated January 6, 2014.*

Exhibit 4. Copy of By-laws of the trustee as now in effect.*

Exhibit 5. Not applicable.

Exhibit 6. The consent of the trustee required by Section 321(b) of the Act.

Exhibit 7. A copy of the latest report of condition of the trustee published pursuant to law or the requirements of its supervising or examining authority.

Exhibit 8. Not applicable.

Exhibit 9. Not applicable.

*	Incorporated by reference to the exhibit of the same number to the trustee’s Form T-1 filed as exhibit to the Filing 305B2 dated March 13, 2015 of file number 333-190926.

SIGNATURE

Pursuant to the requirements of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, the trustee, Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, a national banking association organized and existing under the laws of the United States of America, has duly caused this statement of eligibility to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, all in the City of New York and State of New York on the 23rd day of April, 2018.

WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION

/s/ Raymond Delli Colli

Raymond Delli Colli

Vice President

EXHIBIT 6

April 23, 2018

Securities and Exchange Commission

Washington, D.C. 20549

Gentlemen:

In accordance with Section 321(b) of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, the undersigned hereby consents that reports of examination of the undersigned made by Federal, State, Territorial, or District authorities authorized to make such examination may be furnished by such authorities to the Securities and Exchange Commission upon its request therefor.

Very truly yours,

WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION

/s/ Raymond Delli Colli

Raymond Delli Colli

Vice President

Exhibit 7

Consolidated Report of Condition of

Wells Fargo Bank National Association

of 101 North Phillips Avenue, Sioux Falls, SD 57104

And Foreign and Domestic Subsidiaries,

at the close of business December 31, 2017, filed in accordance with 12 U.S.C. §161 for National Banks.


	Dollar Amounts In Millions
ASSETS
Cash and balances due from depository institutions:
Noninterest-bearing balances and currency and coin	$	22450
Interest-bearing balances		192185
Securities:
Held-to-maturity securities		139228
Available-for-sale securities		260098
Federal funds sold and securities purchased under agreements to resell:
Federal funds sold in domestic offices		120
Securities purchased under agreements to resell		31006
Loans and lease financing receivables:
Loans and leases held for sale		12005
Loans and leases, net of unearned income		929016
LESS: Allowance for loan and lease losses		10104
Loans and leases, net of unearned income and allowance		918912
Trading Assets		51667
Premises and fixed assets (including capitalized leases)		8116
Other real estate owned		641
Investments in unconsolidated subsidiaries and associated companies		12014
Direct and indirect investments in real estate ventures		72
Intangible assets
Goodwill		22480
Other intangible assets		16807
Other assets		59553

Total assets	$	1,747,354

LIABILITIES
Deposits:
In domestic offices	$	1259735
Noninterest-bearing		423833
Interest-bearing		835902
In foreign offices, Edge and Agreement subsidiaries, and IBFs		129264
Noninterest-bearing		962
Interest-bearing		128302
Federal funds purchased and securities sold under agreements to repurchase:
Federal funds purchased in domestic offices		10906
Securities sold under agreements to repurchase		7180


	Dollar Amounts In Millions
Trading liabilities		10537
Other borrowed money
(includes mortgage indebtedness and obligations under capitalized leases)		118326
Subordinated notes and debentures		11950
Other liabilities		32898

Total liabilities	$	1580796

EQUITY CAPITAL
Perpetual preferred stock and related surplus		0
Common stock		519
Surplus (exclude all surplus related to preferred stock)		112497
Retained earnings		53612
Accumulated other comprehensive income		-468
Other equity capital components		0

Total bank equity capital		166160
Noncontrolling (minority) interests in consolidated subsidiaries		398

Total equity capital		166558

Total liabilities, and equity capital	$	1747354

I, John R. Shrewsberry, Sr. EVP & CFO of the above-named bank do hereby declare that this Report of Condition has been prepared

in conformance with the instructions issued by the appropriate Federal regulatory authority and is true to the best of my knowledge

and belief.

John R. Shrewsberry

Sr. EVP & CFO

We, the undersigned directors, attest to the correctness of this Report of Condition and declare that it has been examined by us

and to the best of our knowledge and belief has been prepared in conformance with the instructions issued by the appropriate

Federal regulatory authority and is true and correct.

Directors

Enrique Hernandez, Jr

Federico F. Pena

James Quigley