Document and Entity Information	9 Months Ended
Document and Entity Information	Sep. 30, 2010	Oct. 27, 2010
Document Type	10-Q
Amendment Flag	false
Document Period End Date	Sep. 30, 2010
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2010
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q3
Trading Symbol	NDAQ
Entity Registrant Name	NASDAQ OMX GROUP, INC.
Entity Central Index Key	0001120193
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		197,845,583

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income (USD $) In Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2010	Sep. 30, 2009	Sep. 30, 2010	Sep. 30, 2009
Revenues
Market Services	$ 628	$ 692	$ 2,029	$ 2,247
Issuer Services	85	82	255	246
Market Technology	38	36	106	100
Other			1	1
Total revenues	751	810	2,391	2,594
Cost of revenues
Liquidity rebates	(297)	(329)	(990)	(1,167)
Brokerage, clearance and exchange fees	(82)	(132)	(280)	(343)
Total cost of revenues	(379)	(461)	(1,270)	(1,510)
Revenues less liquidity rebates, brokerage, clearance and exchange fees	372	349	1,121	1,084
Operating Expenses
Compensation and benefits	102	100	305	302
Marketing and advertising	5	3	14	7
Depreciation and amortization	25	27	75	78
Professional and contract services	18	20	57	57
Computer operations and data communications	13	14	43	42
Occupancy	23	19	66	54
Regulatory	9	10	26	29
Merger and strategic initiatives	1	5	2	16
General, administrative and other	11	20	77	44
Total operating expenses	207	218	665	629
Operating income	165	131	456	455
Interest income	2	3	7	10
Interest expense	(25)	(26)	(76)	(77)
Dividend and investment income		1		2
Loss on sale of investment security				(5)
Loss on divestiture of businesses			(11)
Income (loss) from unconsolidated investees, net	1		2	(20)
Debt conversion expense		(25)		(25)
Income before income taxes	143	84	378	340
Income tax provision	43	25	124	119
Net income	100	59	254	221
Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests	1	1	4	2
Net income attributable to NASDAQ OMX	$ 101	$ 60	$ 258	$ 223
Basic and diluted earnings per share:
Basic earnings per share	$ 0.51	$ 0.30	$ 1.25	$ 1.10
Diluted earnings per share	$ 0.50	$ 0.28	$ 1.23	$ 1.05

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 336	$ 594
Restricted cash	53	30
Financial investments, at fair value	343	308
Receivables, net	308	301
Deferred tax assets	17	25
Market value, outstanding derivative positions	1,657	2,054
Other current assets	166	112
Total current assets	2,880	3,424
Non-current restricted cash	106	80
Property and equipment, net	160	164
Non-current deferred tax assets	403	504
Goodwill	5,041	4,800
Intangible assets, net	1,680	1,631
Other assets	85	119
Total assets	10,355	10,722
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	138	125
Section 31 fees payable to SEC	19	137
Accrued personnel costs	97	114
Deferred revenue	156	105
Other current liabilities	134	71
Deferred tax liabilities	26	23
Market value, outstanding derivative positions	1,657	2,054
Current portion of debt obligations	140	225
Total current liabilities	2,367	2,854
Debt obligations	1,846	1,867
Non-current deferred tax liabilities	713	683
Non-current deferred revenue	169	160
Other liabilities	182	199
Total liabilities	5,277	5,763
Commitments and contingencies
Series A convertible preferred stock		15
NASDAQ OMX stockholders' equity:
Common stock, $0.01 par value, 300,000,000 shares authorized, shares issued: 212,993,586 at September 30, 2010 and 211,713,186 at December 31, 2009; shares outstanding: 197,826,542 at September 30, 2010 and 211,385,464 at December 31, 2009	2	2
Preferred stock, 30,000,000 shares authorized, series A convertible preferred stock: shares issued: 1,600,000 at September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009; shares outstanding: none at September 30, 2010 and 1,600,000 at December 31, 2009 (classified above at December 31, 2009 as temporary equity)
Additional paid-in capital	3,776	3,736
Common stock in treasury, at cost: 15,167,044 shares at September 30, 2010 and 327,722 shares at December 31, 2009	(310)	(10)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(268)	(406)
Retained earnings	1,867	1,610
Total NASDAQ OMX stockholders' equity	5,067	4,932
Noncontrolling interests	11	12
Total equity	5,078	4,944
Total liabilities, series A convertible preferred stock and equity	$ 10,355	$ 10,722

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Common stock, par value	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Common stock, shares authorized	300,000,000	300,000,000
Common stock, shares issued	212,993,586	211,713,186
Common stock, shares outstanding	197,826,542	211,385,464
Preferred stock, shares authorized	30,000,000	30,000,000
Preferred stock, series A convertible preferred stock: shares issued	1,600,000	1,600,000
Preferred stock, series A convertible preferred stock: shares outstanding	0	1,600,000
Common stock in treasury, shares	15,167,044	327,722

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2010	Sep. 30, 2009	Sep. 30, 2010	Sep. 30, 2009
Net income	$ 100	$ 59	$ 254	$ 221
Net unrealized holding gains (losses) on available-for-sale securities:
Unrealized holding gains (losses) arising during the period	7		2	(5)
Income taxes	(3)		(1)
Reclassification adjustment for loss realized in net income on available-for-sale investment				5
Total	4		1
Foreign currency translation gains:
Net foreign currency translation gains	614	439	224	514
Income taxes	(240)	(170)	(93)	(227)
Total	374	269	131	287
Unrealized gains on cash flow hedges:
Unrealized gains on cash flow hedges arising during the period				2
Income taxes				(1)
Reclassification adjustment for loss realized in net income on cash flow hedges			9
Income tax benefit recognized in net income during the period			(3)
Total			6	1
Total other comprehensive income, net of taxes	378	269	138	288
Comprehensive income	478	328	392	509
Comprehensive loss attributable to noncontrolling interests	1	1	4	2
Comprehensive income attributable to NASDAQ OMX	$ 479	$ 329	$ 396	$ 511

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2010	Sep. 30, 2009
Cash flows from operating activities
Net income	$ 254	$ 221
Adjustments to reconcile net income to cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	75	78
Share-based compensation	25	25
Excess tax benefits related to share-based compensation	(1)	(4)
Loss on divestiture of businesses	11
Provision for bad debts	4	2
Charges related to debt refinancing	37
Gain on the early extinguishment of debt obligations		(4)
Deferred taxes, net	(5)	3
Loss on sale of investment security		5
Asset retirements	5	11
Net (income) loss from unconsolidated investees	(2)	20
Debt conversion expense		25
Accretion of 2.50% convertible senior notes	11	10
Other non-cash items included in net income	(6)	1
Net change in operating assets and liabilities, net of effects of acquisitions and divestitures:
Receivables, net	(8)	(40)
Other assets	(97)	(8)
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	5	(3)
Section 31 fees payable to SEC	(118)	(8)
Accrued personnel costs	(21)	(51)
Deferred revenue	49	33
Other current liabilities	55	(73)
Other liabilities	(16)	(15)
Cash provided by operating activities	257	228
Cash flows from investing activities
Purchases of trading securities	(188)	(307)
Proceeds from sales and redemptions of trading securities	216	305
Proceeds from sale of available-for-sale investment		25
Proceeds from sales of equity method investments	1	54
Acquisitions of businesses, net of cash and cash equivalents acquired and purchase accounting adjustments	(76)	(20)
Purchases of property and equipment	(32)	(46)
Cash provided by (used in) investing activities	(79)	11
Cash flows from financing activities
Purchases of noncontrolling interests	(2)
Proceeds from contributions of noncontrolling interests	1	7
Proceeds from debt obligations, net of debt issuance costs	1,675
Payments of debt obligations	(1,811)	(341)
Cash paid for repurchase of common stock	(300)
Cash inducement payment		(9)
Issuances of common stock, net of treasury stock purchases	5	7
Excess tax benefits related to share-based compensation	1	4
Other financing activities	1
Cash used in financing activities	(430)	(332)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	(6)	30
Decrease in cash and cash equivalents	(258)	(63)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	594	374
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	336	311
Cash paid for:
Interest	49	58
Income taxes, net of refund	$ 113	$ 154

Organization and Nature of Operations

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2010

Organization and Nature of Operations

1. Organization and Nature of Operations

We are a leading global exchange group that delivers trading, exchange technology, securities listing, and public company services across six continents. Our global offerings are diverse and include trading across multiple asset classes, market data products, financial indexes, capital formation solutions, financial services and market technology products and services. Our technology powers markets across the globe, supporting cash equity trading, derivatives trading, clearing and settlement and many other functions.

In the U.S., we operate The NASDAQ Stock Market, a registered national securities exchange. The NASDAQ Stock Market is the largest single cash equities securities market in the U.S. in terms of listed companies and in the world in terms of share value traded. As of September 30, 2010, The NASDAQ Stock Market was home to 2,805 listed companies with a combined market capitalization of approximately $4.1 trillion. In addition, in the U.S. we operate two additional cash equities trading markets, two options markets, a futures market, a derivatives clearinghouse and a clearinghouse for over-the-counter, or OTC, power and gas markets.

In Europe, we operate exchanges in Stockholm (Sweden), Copenhagen (Denmark), Helsinki (Finland), and Iceland as NASDAQ OMX Nordic, and exchanges in Tallinn (Estonia), Riga (Latvia) and Vilnius (Lithuania) as NASDAQ OMX Baltic. We also operate NASDAQ OMX Armenia. In addition, through our acquisition of Nord Pool ASA, or Nord Pool, in May 2010, the NASDAQ OMX Commodities offering now includes the world’s largest power derivatives exchange and one of Europe’s largest carbon exchanges. In addition, NASDAQ OMX Commodities operates N2EX, a marketplace for physical U.K. power contracts.

In some of the countries where we operate exchanges, we also provide clearing, settlement and depository services.

Collectively, the exchanges that comprise NASDAQ OMX Nordic and NASDAQ OMX Baltic offer trading in cash equities, bonds, structured products and ETFs, as well as trading and clearing of derivatives. Our Nordic and Baltic operations also offer alternative marketplaces for smaller companies called NASDAQ OMX First North. As of September 30, 2010, the exchanges within NASDAQ OMX Nordic and NASDAQ OMX Baltic were home to 780 listed companies with a combined market capitalization of approximately $1.0 trillion.

We also operate two registered broker-dealers: Nasdaq Execution Services and NASDAQ Options Services, which are wholly-owned indirect subsidiaries of The NASDAQ Stock Market. Nasdaq Execution Services has no customers, accepts orders from one user, The NASDAQ Stock Market, and currently operates solely as the routing broker for The NASDAQ Stock Market. Nasdaq Execution Services is distinguished from most broker-dealers in that it is a facility of The NASDAQ Stock Market. NASDAQ Options Services performs a comparable function to Nasdaq Execution Services with respect to routing of orders from The NASDAQ Options Market and NASDAQ OMX PHLX.

We manage, operate and provide our products and services in three business segments: Market Services, Issuer Services and Market Technology.

Market Services

Our Market Services segment includes our U.S. and European Transaction Services businesses, as well as our Market Data and Broker Services businesses. We offer trading on multiple exchanges and facilities across several asset classes, including equities, derivatives, debt, commodities, structured products and ETFs.

U.S. Transaction Services

In the U.S., we offer trading in cash equity securities, derivatives and ETFs on The NASDAQ Stock Market, The NASDAQ Options Market, NASDAQ OMX PHLX, NASDAQ OMX BX, NASDAQ OMX PSX, NASDAQ OMX Futures Exchange, or NFX, and clearing of OTC power and gas contracts through NASDAQ OMX Commodities Clearing Company, or NOCC. Our transaction-based platforms in the U.S. provide market participants with the ability to access, process, display and integrate orders and quotes for cash equity securities, derivatives and ETFs. The platforms allow the routing and execution of buy and sell orders as well as the reporting of transactions for cash equity securities, derivatives and ETFs, providing fee-based revenues.

Equities Trading

In the U.S., we operate The NASDAQ Stock Market and NASDAQ OMX BX for the trading of cash equity securities. The NASDAQ Stock Market is the largest single pool of liquidity for trading U.S.-listed cash equities. NASDAQ OMX BX provides our customers enhanced trading choices and pricing flexibility within the U.S. equities marketplace. During the three months ended September 30, 2010, The NASDAQ Stock Market and NASDAQ OMX BX matched an average of approximately 22.3% in U.S. cash equity securities, consisting of approximately 19.1% at The NASDAQ Stock Market and 3.2% at NASDAQ OMX BX. During the nine months ended September 30, 2010, The NASDAQ Stock Market and NASDAQ OMX BX matched an average of approximately 22.9% in U.S. cash equity securities, consisting of approximately 19.3% at The NASDAQ Stock Market and 3.6% at NASDAQ OMX BX.

In October 2010, we launched a third U.S. cash equities market, called NASDAQ OMX PSX. This new market utilizes a price-size priority model and also runs on INET technology, leveraging the speed and efficiency benefits offered throughout NASDAQ OMX globally.

U.S. Derivative Trading and Clearing

In the U.S., we operate The NASDAQ Options Market and NASDAQ OMX PHLX for the trading of equity options, index options and currency options. NASDAQ OMX PHLX is the third largest options market in the U.S. and operates a hybrid electronic and floor-based market as a distinct market alongside The NASDAQ Options Market. During the three months ended September 30, 2010, NASDAQ OMX PHLX and The NASDAQ Options Market had an average combined market share of approximately 28.8% in the U.S. equity options market, consisting of approximately 23.7% at NASDAQ OMX PHLX and approximately 5.1% at The NASDAQ Options Market. During the nine months ended September 30, 2010, NASDAQ OMX PHLX and The NASDAQ Options Market had an average combined market share of approximately 25.8% in the U.S. equity options market, consisting of approximately 22.2% at NASDAQ OMX PHLX and approximately 3.6% at The NASDAQ Options Market. Our options trading platforms provide trading opportunities to both retail investors and high frequency trading firms, who tend to prefer electronic trading, and institutional investors, who typically pursue more complex trading strategies and often prefer to trade on the floor.

In the U.S., we also operate NFX which offers trading for currency futures and other financial futures. Most futures traded on NFX clear at The Options Clearing Corporation, or OCC. In addition, NFX serves as the designated contract market for interest rate swap products that are cleared through International Derivatives Clearinghouse, LLC, or IDCH.

Through IDCH, our majority-owned subsidiary International Derivatives Clearing Group, or IDCG, brings a centrally-cleared solution to the largest segment of the OTC derivatives marketplace, specifically interest rate derivative products. IDCH acts as the central counterparty, or CCP, for clearing interest rate swap futures contracts. IDCH utilizes NASDAQ OMX matching and clearing technology to clear and settle these interest rate derivative products.

With the purchase by our newly-established subsidiary NASDAQ OMX Commodities Clearing Company, or NOCC, of the business of North American Energy Credit and Clearing Corp. in March 2010, NASDAQ OMX expanded its presence in OTC commodities clearing. NOCC is our U.S. clearinghouse for OTC power and gas markets.

In the second quarter of 2010, we made a strategic decision to close our Agora-X, LLC, or Agora-X, business. As a result of this decision, we recorded a loss of $5 million in the second quarter of 2010. This charge was included in loss on divestiture of businesses in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income for the nine months ended September 30, 2010. Our decision to close Agora-X will not have a significant impact on our future results of operations.

European Transaction Services

Nordic Transaction Services

The exchanges that comprise NASDAQ OMX Nordic offer trading for equities and bonds and trading and clearing services for derivatives. Our platform allows the exchanges to share the same trading system which enables efficient cross-border trading and settlement, cross membership and a single source for Nordic market data.

Cash trading is offered in Nordic securities such as equities and depository receipts, warrants, convertibles, rights, fund units, ETFs, bonds and other interest-related products. NASDAQ OMX Stockholm and NASDAQ OMX Copenhagen also offer trading in derivatives, such as stock options and futures, index options and futures, fixed-income options and futures and stock loans.

On NASDAQ OMX Stockholm, we offer clearing services for fixed-income options and futures, stock options and futures and index options and futures by serving as the CCP. In doing so, we guarantee the completion of the transaction and market participants can thereby limit their counterparty risk. We also act as the counterparty for certain OTC contracts. The transactions are reported electronically prior to CCP clearing and we thereby guarantee the completion of the transaction. Following the completion of a transaction, settlement takes place between parties with the exchange of the securities and funds. The transfer of ownership is registered and the securities are stored on the owner’s behalf. Settlement and registration of cash trading takes place in Sweden,

Finland, Denmark and Iceland via the local central securities depositories. Beginning in October 2009, most of our equity trades on the exchanges that comprise NASDAQ OMX Nordic are centrally cleared by European Multilateral Clearing Facility N.V., or EMCF, a leading European clearinghouse in which we own a 22% equity stake.

Baltic Transaction Services

During the first quarter of 2010, we acquired the remaining 7% minority holding in NASDAQ OMX Tallinn and an additional ownership stake of 0.4% in NASDAQ OMX Vilnius, both for immaterial amounts. As of September 30, 2010, NASDAQ OMX owns 100% of NASDAQ OMX Tallinn, 95% of NASDAQ OMX Vilnius and 93% of NASDAQ OMX Riga. In addition, NASDAQ OMX Tallinn owns 100% of the central securities depository in Estonia, NASDAQ OMX Riga owns 100% of the central securities depository in Latvia, and NASDAQ OMX Vilnius owns 40% of the central securities depository in Lithuania.

The exchanges that comprise NASDAQ OMX Baltic offer their members trading, clearing, payment and custody services. Issuers, primarily local companies, are offered listing and a distribution network for their securities. The securities traded are mainly equities, bonds and treasury bills. Clearing, payment and custody services are offered through the central securities depositories in Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania. In addition, in Estonia and Latvia, NASDAQ OMX offers registry maintenance of fund units included in obligatory pension funds, and in Estonia, NASDAQ OMX offers the maintenance of shareholder registers for listed companies. The Baltic central securities depositories offer a complete range of cross-border settlement services.

In the second quarter of 2010, we also made a strategic decision to close the business of our pan-European multilateral trading facility NASDAQ OMX Europe, or NEURO. We have retained our London office and data hub, where we support trading and market data clients, run the U.K. power exchange N2EX, and manage our overseas listings operation. As a result of this decision, we recorded a loss of $6 million in the second quarter of 2010. This charge was included in loss on divestiture of businesses in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income for the nine months ended September 30, 2010. Our decision to close the business of NEURO will not have a significant impact on our future results of operations.

Commodities Trading and Clearing

NASDAQ OMX Commodities offers derivatives and carbon products, operates a clearing business and offers consulting services to commodities markets globally. In May 2010, with our acquisition of Nord Pool, NASDAQ OMX Commodities’ offering now includes the world’s largest power derivatives exchange and one of Europe’s largest carbon exchanges.

NASDAQ OMX Commodities has 371 members across a wide range of energy producers and consumers, as well as financial institutions. NASDAQ OMX Commodities’ offering is designed for banks, brokers, hedge funds and other financial institutions, as well as power utilities, industrial, manufacturing and oil companies. NASDAQ OMX Commodities offers clearing services for energy derivative and carbon product contracts by serving as the CCP. In doing so, we guarantee the completion of the transaction and market participants can thereby limit their counterparty risk. Market participants must provide collateral to cover the daily margin call, which is in addition to the initial collateral placed when signing the clearing membership agreement. Acceptable collateral is cash in a pledged bank account and/or an on-demand guarantee. We also act as the counterparty for trades on the OTC derivative market subject to our approval on a case-by-case basis. Trading on the contracts can take place up until the delivery period which may occur over a period of several years.

In January 2010, NASDAQ OMX Commodities and Nord Pool Spot launched N2EX, a marketplace for physical U.K. power contracts.

Access Services

We provide market participants with several alternatives for accessing our markets for a fee. We provide co-location services to market participants whereby firms may lease space for equipment within our data center. These participants are charged monthly fees for cabinet space, connectivity and support. We also earn revenues from annual and monthly exchange membership and registration fees.

Market Data

We earn Market Data revenues from U.S. tape plans and U.S. and European proprietary market data products.

Net U.S. Tape Plans

The NASDAQ Stock Market operates as the exclusive Securities Information Processor of the Unlisted Trading Privileges Plan, or the UTP Plan, for the collection and dissemination of best bid and offer information and last transaction information from markets that quote and trade in NASDAQ-listed securities. The NASDAQ Stock Market, NASDAQ OMX BX and NASDAQ OMX PSX are participants in the UTP Plan and share in the net distribution of revenue according to the plan on the same terms as the other plan participants. In the role as the Securities Information Processor, The NASDAQ Stock Market collects and disseminates quotation and last sale information for all transactions in NASDAQ-listed securities whether traded on The NASDAQ Stock Market or other exchanges. We sell this information to market participants and to data distributors, who then provide the information to subscribers. After deducting costs associated with our role as an exclusive Securities Information Processor, as permitted under the revenue sharing provision of the UTP Plan, we distribute the tape fees to the respective UTP Plan participants, including The NASDAQ Stock Market, NASDAQ OMX BX and NASDAQ OMX PSX, based on a formula required by Regulation NMS that takes into account both trading and quoting activity. In addition, all quotes and trades in New York Stock Exchange, or NYSE, and NYSE Amex-listed securities are reported and disseminated in real time, and as such, we share in the tape fees for information on NYSE- and NYSE Amex-listed securities.

U.S. Market Data Products

Our market data products enhance transparency and provide critical information to professional and non-professional investors. We collect, process and create information and earn revenues as a distributor of our market data. We provide varying levels of quote and trade information to market participants and to data distributors, who in turn provide subscriptions for this information. Our systems enable distributors to gain direct access to our market depth, index values, mutual fund valuation, order imbalances, market sentiment and other analytical data. We earn revenues primarily based on the number of data subscribers and distributors of our data.

European Market Data Products

The exchanges that comprise NASDAQ OMX Nordic and NASDAQ OMX Baltic offer European market data products and services. These products and services provide critical market transparency to professional and non-professional investors who participate in European marketplaces and, at the same time, give investors greater insight into these markets.

European market data products and services are based on the trading information from the exchanges that comprise NASDAQ OMX Nordic and NASDAQ OMX Baltic for three classes of securities: equities, bonds and derivatives. We provide varying levels of quote and trade information to market participants and to data distributors, who in turn provide subscriptions for this information. Revenues from European market data are subscription-based and are generated primarily based on the number of data subscribers and distributors of our data.

Broker Services

Our Broker Services operations offer technology and customized securities administration solutions to financial participants in the Nordic market. Broker Services provide services through a registered securities company which is regulated by the Swedish Financial Supervisory Authorities. The primary services consist of flexible back-office systems, which allow customers to entirely or partly outsource their company’s back-office functions.

We offer customer and account registration, business registration, clearing and settlement, corporate action handling for reconciliations and reporting to authorities. Available services also include direct settlement with the Nordic central securities depositories, real-time updating and communication via the Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunication to deposit banks. Revenues are based on a fixed basic fee for back-office brokerage services, such as administration or licensing, maintenance and operations, and a variable portion that depends on the number of transactions completed.

Issuer Services

Our Issuer Services segment includes our Global Listing Services and Global Index Group 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 exchanges that comprise NASDAQ OMX Nordic and NASDAQ OMX Baltic. We offer a consolidated global listing application to companies to enable them to apply for listing on The NASDAQ Stock Market and the exchanges that comprise NASDAQ OMX Nordic and NASDAQ OMX Baltic, as well as NASDAQ Dubai Limited, or NASDAQ Dubai.

Global Listing Services

Our Global Listing Services business includes our U.S. Listings, European Listings and Corporate Services businesses.

U.S. Listings

Companies listed on The NASDAQ Stock Market represent a diverse array of industries including health care, consumer products, telecommunication services, information technology, financial services, industrials and energy. There are three types of fees applicable to companies that list on The NASDAQ Stock Market: an annual renewal fee, a listing of additional shares fees and an initial listing fee. Annual renewal fees for securities listed on The NASDAQ Stock Market are based on total shares outstanding. The

fee for listing of additional shares is also based on the total shares outstanding, which we review quarterly, and the initial listing fee for securities listed on The NASDAQ Stock Market includes a listing application fee and a total shares outstanding fee.

European Listings

We also offer listings on the exchanges that comprise NASDAQ OMX Nordic and NASDAQ OMX Baltic. Revenues are generated through annual fees paid by companies listed on these exchanges, which are measured in terms of the listed company’s market capitalization on a trailing 12-month basis. Our European listing customers are organizations such as companies, funds or governments that issue and list securities on the exchanges of NASDAQ OMX Nordic and NASDAQ OMX Baltic. Customers issue securities in the forms of equities, depository receipts, warrants, ETFs, convertibles, rights, options, bonds and fixed-income related products.

For smaller companies and growth companies, we offer access to the financial markets in the Nordics and Baltics through the NASDAQ OMX First North alternative marketplaces.

Corporate Services

Our Corporate Services business provides customer support services, products and programs to companies, including companies listed on our exchanges. Through our Corporate Services offerings, companies gain access to innovative products and services that ease transparency, mitigate risk, maximize board efficiency and facilitate better corporate governance.

Global Index Group

We develop and license NASDAQ OMX branded indexes, associated derivatives and financial products as part of our Global Index Group. We believe that these indexes and products leverage, extend and enhance the NASDAQ OMX brand. License fees for our trademark licenses vary by product based on a percentage of underlying assets, dollar value of a product issuance, number of products or number of contracts traded. In addition to generating licensing revenues, these products, particularly mutual funds and ETFs, lead to increased investments in companies listed on our global exchanges, which enhances our ability to attract new listings. We also license cash-settled options, futures and options on futures on our indexes.

Market Technology

The Market Technology segment delivers technology and services to marketplaces throughout the world. Market Technology provides technology solutions for trading, clearing and settlement, and information dissemination, as well as offering facility management integration, market surveillance solutions and advisory services to over 70 exchanges, clearing organizations and central securities depositories in more than 50 countries. We serve as a technology partner to some of the world’s most prominent exchanges, and we also provide critical technical support to start-ups and new entrants in the exchange space. Revenues are derived from three primary sources: license, support and project revenues, facility management services revenues, and other revenues. License, support and project revenues are derived from the system solutions developed and sold by NASDAQ OMX. After we have developed and sold a system solution, the customer licenses the right to use the software. Facility management services revenues are derived when NASDAQ OMX assumes responsibility for the continuous operation of a system platform for a customer and receives facility management services revenues. Other revenues include advisory services and broker surveillance revenues resulting from our acquisition of SMARTS Group Holdings Pty Ltd, or SMARTS. See below for further discussion.

In August 2010, we completed our acquisition of SMARTS, a leading technology provider of market surveillance solutions to exchanges, regulators and brokers. This acquisition is part of our strategy to diversify our Market Technology business and enter the broker surveillance and compliance market. It will strengthen our position as the leading technology partner to marketplaces worldwide. For further discussion of our SMARTS acquisition, see Note 4, “Acquisitions and Strategic Initiatives.”

For further discussion of our segments, see Note 16, “Segments.”

Basis of Presentation and Principles of Consolidation

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2010

Basis of Presentation and Principles of Consolidation

2. Basis of Presentation and Principles of Consolidation

The condensed consolidated financial statements are prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles, or U.S. GAAP. The financial statements include the accounts of NASDAQ OMX, its wholly-owned subsidiaries and other entities in which NASDAQ OMX has a controlling financial interest. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. We consolidate those entities in which we are the primary beneficiary of a variable-interest entity, or VIE, and entities where we have a controlling financial interest. We were not the primary beneficiary of any VIE during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009. When NASDAQ OMX is not the primary beneficiary of a VIE or does not have a controlling interest in an entity but exercises significant influence over the entity’s operating and financial policies, such investment is accounted for under the equity method of accounting. We recognize our share of earnings or losses of an equity method investee based on our ownership percentage. As permitted under U.S. GAAP, for certain equity method investments for which financial information is not sufficiently timely for us to apply the equity method of accounting currently, we record our share of the earnings or

losses of an investee from the most recent available financial statements on a lag. See “Equity Method Investments,” of Note 6, “Investments,” for further discussion of our equity method investments.

As permitted under U.S. GAAP, certain footnotes or other financial information can be condensed or omitted in the interim condensed consolidated financial statements. The information included in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes included in NASDAQ OMX’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2009.

Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current year presentation.

The preparation of condensed consolidated financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts and the disclosure of contingent amounts in the condensed consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Income Taxes

In order to recognize and measure our unrecognized tax benefits, management determines whether a tax position is more likely than not to be sustained upon examination, including resolution of any related appeals or litigation processes, based on the technical merits of the position. Once it is determined that a position meets the recognition thresholds, the position is measured to determine the amount of benefit to be recognized in the condensed consolidated financial statements. Interest and/or penalties related to income tax matters are recognized in income tax expense.

In June 2009, NASDAQ OMX filed an application for an advance tax ruling with the Swedish Tax Council for Advance Tax Rulings. The application was filed to confirm whether certain interest expense is deductible for Swedish tax purposes under legislation that became effective on January 1, 2009. In June 2010, we received a favorable response from the Swedish Tax Council for Advance Tax Rulings in which all members of the Council agreed that such interest expense is deductible for Swedish tax purposes. The Swedish Tax Agency has recently appealed such ruling to the Swedish Supreme Administrative Court. We expect the Swedish Supreme Administrative Court to agree with the ruling from the Swedish Tax Council for Advance Tax Rulings. In the third quarter of 2010, we recorded a tax benefit of $5 million, or $0.02 per diluted share, related to this matter. Since January 1, 2009, we have recorded a tax benefit of $32 million, or $0.15 per diluted share, related to this matter.

Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2010

Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements

3. Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements

ASC Topic 605.25 - In October 2009, the Financial Accounting Standards Board, or FASB, issued authoritative guidance on FASB Accounting Standards Codification, or ASC, Topic 605.25, “Revenue Recognition—Multiple-Element Arrangements.” This guidance modifies the revenue recognition guidance for arrangements that involve the delivery of multiple-elements, such as product, software, services or support, to a customer at different times as part of a single revenue generating transaction. This standard provides principles and application guidance to determine whether multiple deliverables exist, how the individual deliverables should be separated and how to allocate the revenue in the arrangement among those separate deliverables. The standard also expands the disclosure requirements for multiple deliverable revenue arrangements. This accounting guidance is effective for us on January 1, 2011, but may be early adopted as of the first quarter of 2010 or through a retrospective application to all revenue arrangements for all periods presented in the financial statements. We adopted this guidance in the first quarter of 2010. The adoption did not have a significant impact on our condensed consolidated financial statements.

ASC Topic 820 - In January 2010, the FASB issued amended guidance relating to ASC Topic 820, “Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures.” The amended guidance requires new disclosures as follows:

•

Amounts related to transfers in and out of Levels 1 and 2 shall be disclosed separately and the reasons for the transfers shall be described.

•

In the reconciliation for fair value measurements using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3), a reporting entity should present separately information about purchases, sales, issuances, and settlements on a gross basis.

The guidance also provides amendments that clarify existing disclosures related to the following:

•

Reporting fair value measurement disclosures for each class of assets and liabilities.

•

Providing disclosure surrounding the valuation techniques and inputs used to measure fair value for both Level 2 and Level 3 fair value measurements.

This accounting guidance was effective for us beginning on January 1, 2010, except for the disclosure requirements surrounding the reconciliation of Level 3 fair value measurements, which will be effective for us on January 1, 2011. Since this guidance only requires additional disclosure, it did not and will not affect our financial position or results of operations.

ASC Topic 855 - In February 2010, the FASB issued amended guidance on subsequent events. Under this amended guidance, entities that file with the SEC are no longer required to disclose the date through which subsequent events have been evaluated in originally issued or revised financial statements. This amended guidance was effective immediately and we adopted the new requirements as of March 31, 2010.

Acquisitions and Strategic Initiatives

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2010

Acquisitions and Strategic Initiatives

4. Acquisitions and Strategic Initiatives

2010 Acquisitions

We completed the following acquisitions during the first nine months of 2010. The results of operations of each transaction are included in our Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income from the date of each acquisition.


	Purchase Consideration		Total Net (Liabilities) Assets Acquired			Purchased Intangible Assets		Goodwill
	(in millions)

SMARTS ⁽¹⁾	$	77	$	(5	)	$	28	$	54
Nord Pool ASA ⁽²⁾		17		7			2		8

Total for 2010	$	94	$	2		$	30	$	62

⁽¹⁾

In August 2010, we acquired SMARTS, a leading technology provider of market surveillance solutions to exchanges, regulators and brokers to diversify our Market Technology business and enter the broker surveillance and compliance market. We completed our acquisition of SMARTS for $77 million, which included a $75 million initial purchase price as well as a $2 million working capital adjustment. We acquired net assets, at fair value, totaling $4 million and recorded a current deferred tax liability of $1 million and a non-current deferred tax liability of $8 million related to purchased intangible assets, resulting in total net liabilities acquired of $5 million. The total deferred tax liabilities of $9 million represent the tax effect of the difference between the estimated assigned fair value of the acquired intangible assets ($28 million) and the tax basis ($0) of such assets. The estimated amount of $9 million is determined by multiplying the difference of $28 million by SMARTS’ effective tax rate of 30%. The purchased intangible assets consisted of $11 million in technology and $17 million in customer relationships.

⁽²⁾

In May 2010, we acquired Nord Pool ASA, a derivatives trading market, for $17 million (101 million Norwegian Krone). We acquired net assets, at fair value, totaling $8 million and recorded deferred tax liabilities of $1 million related to purchased intangible assets, resulting in total net assets acquired of $7 million. Through this acquisition, we now hold a Norwegian exchange license and operate the Nordic power market and the European carbon market on one trading platform. In October 2008, we acquired Nord Pool’s derivatives clearing and consulting subsidiaries. We renamed the business NASDAQ OMX Commodities, which offers energy and carbon derivatives products. As a result of the May 2010 acquisition, NASDAQ OMX Commodities is now responsible for exchange operations and trading and clearing activities providing access to the world’s largest power derivatives markets and one of Europe’s largest carbon markets.

The above amounts represent the preliminary allocation of the purchase price and are subject to revision during the remainder of the measurement period, a period not to exceed 12 months from the acquisition date. Adjustments to the provisional values during the measurement period will be pushed back to the date of acquisition. Comparative information for periods after acquisition but before the period in which the adjustments are identified will be adjusted to reflect the effects of the adjustments as if they were taken into account as of the acquisition date. Changes to amounts recorded as assets and liabilities may result in a corresponding adjustment to goodwill. There were no adjustments to the provisional values for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010.

Acquisition of North American Energy Credit and Clearing Corp.

In March 2010, we also purchased the business of North American Energy Credit and Clearing Corp., a Chicago-based clearinghouse for OTC power and gas markets, for an immaterial amount. As previously discussed, the acquisition of this business was effected through our newly-established subsidiary, NOCC. In March 2010, we also provided an additional $25 million in capital to NOCC to improve its liquidity position. As of September 30, 2010, this amount is classified as non-current restricted cash in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.

Pro Forma Results and Acquisition-related Costs

Pro forma results of operations for the acquisitions completed during the nine months ended September 30, 2010 have not been presented since the acquisitions both individually and in the aggregate were not material to our financial results. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010, acquisition-related transaction costs are included in merger and strategic initiatives in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income for the above acquisitions.

2009 Strategic Initiatives

During 2009, we completed the following strategic initiatives:

Investment in Agora-X, LLC

In December 2009, we increased our ownership interest in Agora-X from 20% to 85%. In the second quarter of 2010, we made a strategic decision to close our Agora-X business and recorded a loss of $5 million. This charge was included in loss on divestiture of businesses in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income for the nine months ended September 30, 2010.

Investment in European Multilateral Clearing Facility N.V.

In January 2009, we acquired a 22% stake in EMCF, a leading European clearinghouse, which is accounted for under the equity method of accounting. The financial results of EMCF are included in our condensed consolidated financial statements from the date of this strategic initiative.

Goodwill and Purchased Intangible Assets

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2010

Goodwill and Purchased Intangible Assets

5. Goodwill and Purchased Intangible Assets

Goodwill

The following table presents the changes in goodwill by business segment during the nine months ended September 30, 2010:


	Market Services		Issuer Services		Market Technology		Total
	(in millions)
Balance at December 31, 2009	$	4,432	$	273	$	95	$	4,800
Goodwill acquired		8		—		54		62
Foreign currency translation adjustment and other		161		13		5		179

Balance at September 30, 2010	$	4,601	$	286	$	154	$	5,041

As of September 30, 2010, the amount of goodwill that is expected to be deductible for tax purposes in future periods is $110 million.

The goodwill acquired for Market Services shown above relates to our acquisition of Nord Pool in May 2010. The goodwill acquired for Market Technology relates to our acquisition of SMARTS in August 2010. See Note 4, “Acquisitions and Strategic Initiatives,” for further discussion.

Goodwill represents the excess of the purchase price over the fair value of the net tangible and identifiable intangible assets acquired in a business combination. Goodwill is allocated to the reporting units based on the assignment of the fair values of each reporting unit of the acquired company. We are required to test goodwill for impairment at the reporting unit level annually, or in interim periods if certain events occur indicating that the carrying value may be impaired. We test for impairment during the fourth quarter of our fiscal year using October 1^st carrying values. We considered the need to update our most recent annual goodwill impairment test as of September 30, 2010 and concluded that none of the impairment indicators triggered a revised impairment analysis. As such, we concluded the assumptions used during the annual assessment remained appropriate. There was no impairment of goodwill for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009. Although there is no impairment as of September 30, 2010, events such as continued economic weakness and unexpected significant declines in operating results of reporting units may result in our having to perform a goodwill impairment test for some or all of our reporting units prior to the required annual assessment. These types of events and the resulting analysis could result in goodwill impairment charges in the future.

Purchased Intangible Assets

The following table presents details of our total purchased intangible assets, both finite- and indefinite-lived:


	September 30, 2010											December 31, 2009
	Gross Carrying Amount			Accumulated Amortization			Net Intangible Assets			Weighted- Average Useful Life (in Years)		Gross Carrying Amount			Accumulated Amortization			Net Intangible Assets			Weighted- Average Useful Life (in Years)
	(in millions)											(in millions)
*Finite-Lived Intangible Assets*
Technology	$	69		$	(46	)	$	23			6	$	65		$	(41	)	$	24			4
Customer relationships		830			(141	)		689			21		813			(110	)		703			21
Other		5			(2	)		3			10		5			(1	)		4			10
Foreign currency translation adjustment		(21	)		4			(17	)				(45	)		7			(38	)

Total finite-lived intangible assets	$	883		$	(185	)	$	698				$	838		$	(145	)	$	693


*Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets*
Exchange and clearing registrations	$	790		$	—		$	790				$	790		$	—		$	790
Trade names		173			—			173					173			—			173
Licenses		78			—			78					76			—			76
Foreign currency translation adjustment		(59	)		—			(59	)				(101	)		—			(101	)

Total indefinite-lived intangible assets	$	982		$	—		$	982				$	938		$	—		$	938

Total intangible assets	$	1,865		$	(185	)	$	1,680				$	1,776		$	(145	)	$	1,631

Amortization expense for purchased finite-lived intangible assets was $15 million for the three months ended September 30, 2010 and $42 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 compared to $17 million for the three months ended September 30, 2009 and $44 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2009.

The estimated future amortization expense (excluding the impact of foreign currency translation adjustments of $17 million as of September 30, 2010) of purchased intangible assets with finite lives as of September 30, 2010 is as follows:


	(in millions)
2010 ⁽¹⁾	$	15
2011		47
2012		45
2013		44
2014		43
2015 and thereafter		521

Total	$	715

⁽¹⁾	Represents the estimated amortization to be recognized for the remaining three months of 2010.

- Definition

Discloses the aggregate amount of goodwill and a description of intangible assets, which may include (a) for amortizable intangible assets (also referred to as finite-lived intangible assets), the carrying amount, the amount of any significant residual value, and the weighted-average amortization period, (b) for intangible assets not subject to amortization (also referred to as indefinite-lived intangible assets), the carrying amount, and (c) the amount of research and development assets acquired and written off in the period, including the line item in the income statement in which the amounts written off are aggregated, if not readily apparent from the income statement. Also discloses (a) for amortizable intangibles assets in total and by major class, the gross carrying amount and accumulated amortization, the total amortization expense for the period, and the estimated aggregate amortization expense for each of the five succeeding fiscal years, (b) for intangible assets not subject to amortization the carrying amount in total and by major class, and (c) for goodwill, in total and for each reportable segment, the changes in the carrying amount of goodwill during the period (including the aggregate amount of goodwill acquired, the aggregate amount of impairment losses recognized, and the amount of goodwill included in the gain or loss on disposal of a reporting unit). If any part of goodwill has not been allocated to a reportable segment, discloses the unallocated amount and the reasons for not allocating. For each impairment loss recognized related to an intangible asset (excluding goodwill), discloses: (a) a description of the impaired intangible asset and the facts and circumstances leading to the impairment, (b) the amount of the impairment loss and the method for determining fair value, (c) the caption in the income statement or the statement of activities in which the impairment loss is aggregated, and (d) the segment in which the impaired intangible asset is reported. For each goodwill impairment loss recognized, discloses: (a) a description of the facts and circumstances leading to the impairment, (b) the amount of the impairment loss and the method of determining the fair value of the associated reporting unit, and (c) if a recognized impairment loss is an estimate not finalized and the reasons why the estimate is not final. May also disclose the nature and amount of any significant adjustments made to a previous estimate of an impairment loss. This element may be used as a single block of text to include the entire intangible asset disclosure including data and tables.

+ References+ Details

Investments

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2010

Investments

6. Investments

Trading Securities

Trading securities, which are included in financial investments, at fair value in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets, were $305 million as of September 30, 2010 and $308 million as of December 31, 2009. These securities are primarily comprised of Swedish government debt securities, of which $191 million as of September 30, 2010 and $183 million as of December 31, 2009, are restricted assets to meet regulatory capital requirements for NASDAQ OMX Stockholm’s clearing operations.

Available-for-Sale Security

Investment in DFM

Available-for-sale security, which is included in financial investments, at fair value in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets, represents our 1% investment in Dubai Financial Market PJSC, or DFM, a publicly traded company controlled by Borse Dubai Limited, a Dubai company, or Borse Dubai. In May 2010, we completed the previously announced exchange of our equity interest in NASDAQ Dubai for a 1% investment in DFM. See “Investment in NASDAQ Dubai” below for further discussion.

As of September 30, 2010, the cost basis of this security was $36 million and the fair value was $38 million. The $2 million change between the cost basis and fair value is reflected as an unrealized holding gain in accumulated other comprehensive loss in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.

Investment in Oslo

In connection with our business combination with OMX AB, we acquired a long-term available-for-sale investment in Oslo Børs Exchange, or Oslo. During the second quarter of 2009, we made a strategic decision to sell this investment, demonstrating our intent to no longer hold this investment, and recorded a $5 million loss, which includes costs directly related to the sale, primarily broker fees. This loss is included in loss on sale of investment security in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income.

Equity Method Investments

The equity method of accounting is used when we own less than 50% of the outstanding voting stock, but exercise significant influence over the operating and financial policies of a company.

Equity interest in our equity method investments was $26 million as of September 30, 2010, which consisted primarily of our equity interest in EMCF. Equity interest in our equity method investments was $66 million as of December 31, 2009, which consisted primarily of our equity interests in NASDAQ Dubai and EMCF. Equity method investments are included in other assets in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. As discussed above, we completed the previously announced exchange of our equity interest in NASDAQ Dubai for a 1% available-for-sale investment in DFM. See “Investment in NASDAQ Dubai” below for further discussion.

Income (loss) recognized from our equity interest in the earnings and losses of these companies was a net gain of $1 million for the three months ended September 30, 2010 and a net gain of $2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 compared with a net loss of $20 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2009. The net loss during the nine months ended September 30, 2009 was primarily due to the sale of our investment in Orc Software AB, or Orc. See “Investment in Orc Software” below for further discussion. Income (loss) recognized from our equity method investments is included in income (loss) from unconsolidated investees, net in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income.

Investment in NASDAQ Dubai

In May 2010, we completed the previously announced exchange of our equity interest in NASDAQ Dubai for a 1% available-for-sale investment in DFM. In the second quarter of 2010, as a result of the completion of the exchange, we recorded a pre-tax, non cash loss of $1 million in income (loss) from unconsolidated investees, net in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income, which was based on the difference between the price of DFM common stock multiplied by the number of shares of DFM acquired and the carrying value of our investment in NASDAQ Dubai at the time of the exchange.

In December 2009, as discussed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2009, as a result of our announcement of our agreement to participate in the realignment of the ownership structure of NASDAQ Dubai, we wrote down our investment in NASDAQ Dubai to fair value which resulted in an $82 million pre-tax, non-cash impairment charge for the year ended December 31, 2009.

Our existing technology and trademark licensing arrangements with Borse Dubai and NASDAQ Dubai remain unchanged. NASDAQ Dubai and DFM are related parties, as both of them are primarily owned by Borse Dubai, our largest stockholder.

Investment in Orc Software

During the second quarter of 2009, we made a strategic decision to sell our investment in Orc, demonstrating our intent to no longer hold this investment. We sold our shares in Orc, representing 25.25% of the share capital of Orc, to a group of Swedish and other international investors for $54 million in cash. As a result of the sale, we recognized a $19 million loss, which includes costs directly related to the sale, primarily broker fees. The loss is included in income (loss) from unconsolidated investees, net in the

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income for the nine months ended September 30, 2009.

- Definition

This item represents the entire disclosure related to Investments in Certain Debt and Equity Securities (and certain other trading assets) which include all debt and equity securities (other than those equity securities accounted for under the equity or cost methods of accounting) with readily determinable fair values. Other trading assets include assets that are carried on the balance sheet at fair value and held for trading purposes. A debt security represents a creditor relationship with an enterprise that is in the form of a security. Debt securities include, among other items, US Treasury securities, US government securities, municipal securities, corporate bonds, convertible debt, commercial paper, and all securitized debt instruments. An equity security represents an ownership interest in an enterprise or the right to acquire or dispose of an ownership interest in an enterprise at fixed or determinable prices. Equity securities include, among other things, common stock, certain preferred stock, warrant rights, call options, and put options, but do not include convertible debt. An entity may opt to provide the reader with additional narrative text to better understand the nature of investments in debt and equity securities (and other trading assets).

+ References+ Details

Deferred Revenue

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2010

Deferred Revenue

7. Deferred Revenue

Deferred revenue represents cash payments received that are yet to be recognized as revenue. At September 30, 2010, we have estimated that our deferred revenue, which is primarily related to Global Listing Services and Market Technology fees, will be recognized in the following years:


	Initial Listing Fees		Listing of Additional Shares Fees		Annual Renewal Fees and Other		Market Technology⁽²⁾		Total
	(in millions)
Fiscal year ended:
2010 ⁽¹⁾	$	4	$	10	$	59	$	19	$	92
2011		14		32		3		32		81
2012		11		23		—		30		64
2013		6		15		—		28		49
2014		4		3		—		16		23
2015 and thereafter		3		—		—		13		16

	$	42	$	83	$	62	$	138	$	325

⁽¹⁾	Represents deferred revenue that is anticipated to be recognized over the remaining three months of 2010.

⁽²⁾	The timing of recognition of our deferred Market Technology revenues is dependent upon when significant modifications are made pursuant to the contracts. As such, as it relates to these fees, the timing represents our best estimate.

Our deferred revenue for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009 is reflected in the following table:


	Initial Listing Fees			Listing of Additional Shares Fees			Annual Renewal Fees and Other			Market Technology⁽²⁾			Total
	(in millions)
Balance at January 1, 2010	$	46		$	76		$	18		$	125		$	265
Additions ⁽¹⁾		10			36			203			29			278
Amortization ⁽¹⁾		(14	)		(29	)		(159	)		(19	)		(221	)
Foreign currency translation adjustment		—			—			—			3			3

Balance at September 30, 2010	$	42		$	83		$	62		$	138		$	325


Balance at January 1, 2009	$	57		$	74		$	22		$	100		$	253
Additions ⁽¹⁾		5			26			169			92			292
Amortization ⁽¹⁾		(15	)		(28	)		(139	)		(68	)		(250	)
Foreign currency translation adjustment		—			—			—			1			1

Balance at September 30, 2009	$	47		$	72		$	52		$	125		$	296

⁽¹⁾	The additions and amortization for initial listing fees, listing of additional shares fees and annual renewal fees and other primarily reflect Issuer Services revenues from U.S. listing fees.

⁽²⁾

Market Technology deferred revenues include revenues from delivered client contracts in the support phase charged during the period. Under contract accounting, where customization and significant modifications to the software are made to meet the needs of our customers, total revenues, as well as costs incurred, are deferred until significant modifications are completed and delivered. Once delivered, deferred revenue and the related deferred costs are recognized over the post contract support period. We have included the deferral of costs in other assets in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. The amortization of Market Technology deferred revenue includes revenues earned from client contracts recognized during the period and from the technology licenses contributed to NASDAQ Dubai.

Debt Obligations

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2010

Debt Obligations

8. Debt Obligations

The following table presents the changes in our debt obligations during the nine months ended September 30, 2010:


	December 31, 2009			Additions		Payments, Conversions, Accretion and Other			September 30, 2010
	(in millions)
3.75% convertible notes due October 22, 2012 (net of discount) ⁽¹⁾	$	—		$	—	$	—		$	—
2.50% convertible senior notes due August 15, 2013		374			—		11			385
4.00% senior unsecured notes due January 15, 2015 (net of discount) ⁽²⁾		—			398		—			398
5.55% senior unsecured notes due January 15, 2020 (net of discount) ⁽²⁾		—			598		—			598
$700 million senior unsecured term loan facility credit agreement due January 15, 2013 (average interest rate of 2.33% for the nine months ended September 30, 2010) ⁽²⁾		—			700		(95	)		605
6.25% subordinated debt assumed from the acquisition of Nord Pool’s derivatives clearing and consulting subsidiaries repaid in May 2010 ⁽³⁾		18			—		(18	)		—
$2,000 million senior secured term credit facilities repaid January 2010 ⁽²⁾		1,700			—		(1,700	)		—

Total debt obligations		2,092			1,696		(1,802	)		1,986
Less current portion		(225	)		—		85			(140	)

Total long-term debt obligations	$	1,867		$	1,696	$	(1,717	)	$	1,846

⁽¹⁾

In September 2009, most holders of our outstanding 3.75% convertible notes converted their outstanding positions into common stock. As of September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009, approximately $0.5 million aggregate principal amount of the 3.75% convertible notes remains outstanding. For further discussion, see “3.75% Convertible Notes” below.

⁽²⁾	See “Senior Unsecured Notes, Credit Facility and Repayment of Our Senior Secured Credit Facilities in Place as of December 31, 2009” below for further discussion.

⁽³⁾

Our subordinated debt obligation assumed in the acquisition of Nord Pool’s derivatives clearing and consulting subsidiaries was denominated in Norwegian Krone and totaled 100 million Norwegian Krone ($18 million as of December 31, 2009 and $16 million at the time of the repayment in May 2010). The difference of $2 million reflects changes in foreign currency exchange rates.

3.75% Convertible Notes

The 3.75% convertible notes were originally issued to Hellman & Friedman, or H&F ($300 million), SLP ($141 million) and other holders ($4 million) in order to finance the acquisition of INET. These notes were convertible into our common stock at a price of $14.50 per share, representing 30,689,655 shares subject to adjustment, in general for any stock split, dividend, combination, recapitalization or similar event. We also issued warrants to purchase shares of our common stock at a price of $14.50 per share to H&F (3,400,000 shares), SLP (1,523,325 shares) and other holders (39,175 shares). The warrants became exercisable on April 22, 2006 and would have expired on December 8, 2008. During 2007, H&F converted all of their 3.75% convertible notes into common stock and exercised all of their outstanding warrants prior to expiration. During 2007 and 2008, SLP and other holders converted a portion of their 3.75% convertible notes into common stock and exercised all of their outstanding warrants prior to expiration. In September 2009, SLP and another holder, or Holders, converted their remaining outstanding 3.75% convertible notes into common stock in accordance with the terms of the notes. As an inducement for conversion, we agreed to pay the Holders and certain of their affiliates an aggregate amount of $9 million in cash and issue to the Holders shares of our series A convertible preferred stock, with an aggregate initial liquidation preference amount of $16 million. See “Preferred Stock,” of Note 12, “NASDAQ OMX Stockholders’ Equity,” for further discussion.

As of September 30, 2010, approximately $0.5 million aggregate principal amount of the 3.75% convertible notes remains outstanding.

2.50% Convertible Senior Notes

During the first quarter of 2008, in connection with the business combination with OMX AB, we completed the offering of $475 million aggregate principal amount of 2.50% convertible senior notes due 2013. The interest rate on the notes is 2.50% per annum payable semi-annually in arrears on February 15 and August 15 and will mature on August 15, 2013.

The notes are convertible in certain circumstances specified in the indenture for the notes. Upon conversion, holders will receive, at the election of NASDAQ OMX, cash, common stock or a combination of cash and common stock. It is our current intent and policy to settle the principal amount of the notes in cash. The conversion rate will initially be 18.1386 shares of common stock per $1,000 principal amount of notes, which is equivalent to a conversion price of approximately $55.13 per share of common stock. At September 30, 2010, the 2.50% convertible senior notes are convertible into 7,757,283 shares of our common stock, subject to adjustment upon the occurrence of specified events. Subject to certain exceptions, if we undergo a “fundamental change” as described in the indenture, holders may require us to purchase their notes at a price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the notes, plus accrued and unpaid interest.

Since the settlement structure of our 2.50% convertible senior notes permits settlement in cash upon conversion, we are required to separately account for the liability and equity components of the convertible debt in a manner that reflects our nonconvertible debt borrowing rate when interest cost is recognized in subsequent periods. This entails bifurcation of a component of the debt, classification of that component in equity and then accretion of the resulting discount on the debt being reflected in the income statement as part of interest expense.

The changes in the liability and equity components of our 2.50% convertible senior notes during the nine months ended September 30, 2010 are as follows:


	Liability Component							Equity Component
	(in millions)							(in millions)
	Principal Balance		Unamortized Debt Discount			Net Carrying Amount		Gross Equity Component		Deferred Taxes		Net Equity Component
December 31, 2009	$	428	$	54		$	374	$	80	$	32	$	48
Accretion of debt discount		—		(11	)		11		—		—		—

September 30, 2010	$	428	$	43		$	385	$	80	$	32	$	48

The unamortized debt discount on the convertible debt as of September 30, 2010 was $43 million and is included in debt obligations in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. This amount will be accreted as part of interest expense through the maturity date of the convertible debt of August 15, 2013. The effective annual interest rate on the 2.50% convertible senior notes was 6.53% for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009, which includes the accretion of the debt discount in addition to the annual contractual interest rate of 2.50%.

As of September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009, the equity component of the convertible debt included in additional paid-in capital in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets was $48 million. This amount is calculated as follows: $80 million of excess principal of the convertible debt over the carrying amount less $32 million of deferred taxes. The deferred tax liability is determined by multiplying the $80 million of excess principal of the convertible debt over the carrying amount by the U.S. marginal tax rate of 39.55%.

Interest expense recognized on our 2.50% convertible senior notes in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009 is as follows:


	Three Months Ended September 30,				Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2010		2009		2010		2009
	(in millions)
Components of interest expense recognized on our 2.50% convertible senior notes
Accretion of debt discount	$	4	$	3	$	11	$	10
Contractual interest		2		3		7		9

Total interest expense recognized on our 2.50% convertible senior notes	$	6	$	6	$	18	$	19

Early Extinguishment of Debt

In 2009, we repurchased $47 million principal amount of the 2.50% convertible senior notes for a cash payment of $40 million. For the first nine months of 2009, we recognized a pre-tax gain on the early extinguishment of debt of $4 million (net of debt issuance and other costs of $0.8 million) which is recorded in general, administrative and other expense in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income.

Debt Issuance Costs

In 2008, in conjunction with the issuance of the 2.50% convertible senior notes, we incurred debt issuance costs of $10 million. These costs, which are capitalized and included in other assets in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets, are being amortized over the life of the debt obligation. In connection with the early extinguishment of a portion of these notes, we recorded a pre-tax charge of $0.8 million in the first nine months of 2009 for debt issuance costs. See “Early Extinguishment of Debt” above for further discussion. Amortization expense, which was recorded as additional interest expense for these costs, was immaterial for both the three months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009 and $1 million for both the nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009.

Senior Unsecured Notes, Credit Facility and Repayment of Our Senior Secured Credit Facilities in Place as of December 31, 2009

In January 2010, NASDAQ OMX issued $1 billion of senior unsecured notes, or the Notes, and entered into a $950 million senior unsecured three-year credit facility. The credit facility provides for an unfunded $250 million revolving credit commitment (including a swingline facility and letter of credit facility), a $350 million funded Tranche A term loan, or the Term Loan A, and a $350 million funded Tranche X term loan, or the Term Loan X and, together with the Term Loan A, the Term Loans. NASDAQ OMX applied the net proceeds from the Notes, the $700 million funded Term Loans and cash on hand to repay all amounts outstanding under our senior secured credit facilities in place as of December 31, 2009 and related fees. As a result, NASDAQ OMX terminated the associated credit agreement.

The Notes

The Notes were issued at a discount in two separate series consisting of $400 million aggregate principal amount of 4.00% senior notes due 2015, or the 2015 Notes, and $600 million aggregate principal amount of 5.55% senior notes due 2020, or the 2020 Notes. As a result of the discount, the proceeds received from the issuance were less than the aggregate principal amounts. As of September 30, 2010, the balance of $398 million for the 4.00% senior notes due 2015 and the balance of $598 million for the 5.55% senior notes due 2020, reflects the aggregate principal amounts, less the unamortized debt discount. The unamortized debt discount will be accreted through interest expense over the life of the Notes.

The 2015 Notes pay interest semiannually at a rate of 4.00% per annum until January 15, 2015, and the 2020 Senior Notes pay interest semiannually at a rate of 5.55% per annum until January 15, 2020. The Notes are general unsecured obligations of ours and rank equally with all of our existing and future unsubordinated obligations. The Notes are not guaranteed by any of our subsidiaries. The Notes were issued under an indenture that, among other things, limits our ability to consolidate, merge or sell all or substantially all of our assets, create liens, and enter into sale and leaseback transactions.

Credit Facility

The credit facility provides for an unfunded $250 million revolving credit commitment (including a swingline facility and letter of credit facility), a $350 million funded Term Loan A and a $350 million funded Term Loan X. The loans under the credit facility have a variable interest rate based on either the London Interbank Offered Rate, or LIBOR, or the Federal Funds Rate, plus an applicable margin that varies with NASDAQ OMX’s debt rating.

As required under our credit facility, we will pay quarterly principal payment amounts of $35 million on our Term Loans which began in the third quarter of 2010. In addition to the scheduled quarterly payment, we made optional payments totaling $60 million of principal on our Term Loans during the second and third quarters of 2010.

The credit facility contains financial and operating covenants. Financial covenants include an interest expense coverage ratio and a maximum leverage ratio. Operating covenants include limitations on NASDAQ OMX’s ability to incur additional indebtedness, grant liens on assets, enter into affiliate transactions, and pay dividends.

The credit facility also contains customary affirmative covenants, including access to financial statements, notice of defaults and certain other material events, maintenance of business and insurance, and events of default, including cross-defaults to our material indebtedness.

NASDAQ OMX is permitted to repay borrowings under the credit facility at any time in whole or in part, without penalty. We also are required to repay loans outstanding under the credit facility with net cash proceeds from sales of property and assets of NASDAQ OMX and its subsidiaries (excluding inventory sales and other sales in the ordinary course of business) and casualty and condemnation proceeds, in each case subject to specified exceptions and thresholds.

Debt Issuance and Other Costs

We incurred debt issuance and other costs of $21 million in connection with the issuance of the Notes and the entry into the new credit facility. These costs will be amortized over the life of the debt obligations. Amortization expense, which was recorded as additional interest expense, for these costs was $1 million for the three months ended September 30, 2010 and $3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2010.

In January 2010, as a result of the repayment of our senior secured credit facilities in place as of December 31, 2009, we recorded a pre-tax charge of $40 million, which included the write-off of the remaining unamortized balance of debt issuance costs incurred in conjunction with our senior secured credit facilities in place as of December 31, 2009 of $28 million, costs to terminate our float-to-fixed interest rate swaps previously designated as a cash flow hedge of $9 million and other costs of $3 million. These charges are included in general, administrative and other expense in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income for the nine months ended September 30, 2010. Amortization expense for debt issuance costs incurred in conjunction with our senior secured credit facilities in place as of December 31, 2009 was $3 million for the three months ended September 30, 2009 and $7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2009.

Other Credit Facilities

In addition to the $250 million revolving credit commitment discussed above, we have credit facilities related to our clearinghouses in order to meet liquidity and regulatory requirements. These credit facilities, which are available in multiple currencies, primarily Swedish Krona and U.S. dollar, totaled $439 million ($195 million in available liquidity which can be pledged as collateral and $244 million to satisfy regulatory requirements), of which $1 million was utilized at September 30, 2010. At December 31, 2009, these facilities totaled $417 million ($185 million in available liquidity which can be pledged as collateral and $232 million to satisfy regulatory requirements), none of which was utilized. Amounts utilized are included in other current liabilities in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.

Debt Covenants

At September 30, 2010, we were in compliance with the covenants of all of our debt obligations.

Pension and Other Benefit Programs

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2010

Pension and Other Benefit Programs

9. Pension and Other Benefit Programs

U.S. Defined-Benefit Pension and Supplemental Executive Retirement Plans

We maintain non-contributory, defined-benefit pension plans and non-qualified supplemental executive retirement plans, or SERPs, for certain senior executives and other benefit plans for eligible employees in the U.S., or collectively, the NASDAQ OMX Benefit Plans.

Our pension plans and SERPs are frozen. Future service and salary for all participants do not count toward an accrual of benefits under the pension plans and SERPs.

Components of Net Periodic Benefit Cost

The following table sets forth the components of net periodic pension, SERP and other post-retirement benefit costs for the NASDAQ OMX Benefit Plans recognized in compensation and benefits expense in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income:


	Three Months Ended September 30,						Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2010			2009			2010			2009
	(in millions)
Components of net periodic benefit cost
Service cost	$	—		$	0.2		$	0.1		$	0.5
Interest cost		1.6			1.7			4.9			5.1
Expected return on plan assets		(1.2	)		(1.0	)		(3.5	)		(2.7	)
Settlement loss recognized		0.8			—			0.8			—
Recognized net actuarial (gain) loss		0.9			(0.4	)		2.6			0.1

Benefit cost	$	2.1		$	0.5		$	4.9		$	3.0

Non-U.S. Benefit Plans

Most employees outside the U.S. are covered by local retirement plans or by applicable social laws. Benefits under social laws are generally expensed in the periods in which the costs are incurred. These costs are included in compensation and benefits expense in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income and were $3 million for both the three months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009 and were $10 million for both the nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009.

In 2008, as part of the acquisition of Nord Pool’s derivatives clearing and consulting subsidiaries, we assumed the obligation for several pension plans providing benefits for their employees. The benefit cost for these plans was $1 million for both the three months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009 and was $2 million for both the nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009.

Defined Contribution Savings Plan

We sponsor a voluntary defined contribution savings plan, or 401(k) Plan, for U.S. employees. Employees are immediately eligible to make contributions to the plan and are also eligible for an employer contribution match at an amount equal to 100.0% of the first 4.0% of eligible employee contributions. Savings plan expense included in compensation and benefits expense in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income was $1 million for both the three months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009, and $3 million for both the nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009.

We have a profit-sharing contribution feature to our 401(k) plan which allows eligible U.S. employees to receive employer retirement contributions, or ERCs, when we meet our annual corporate goals. In addition, we have a supplemental ERC for select highly compensated employees whose ERCs are limited by the annual Internal Revenue Service compensation limit. ERC expense recorded in compensation and benefits expense in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income was $1 million for both the three months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009, and $3 million for both the nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009.

Employee Stock Purchase Plan

We have an employee stock purchase plan, or ESPP, under which approximately 4.0 million shares of our common stock have been reserved for future issuance as of September 30, 2010.

Our ESPP allows eligible U.S. and non-U.S. employees to purchase a limited number of shares of our common stock at six-month intervals, called offering periods, at 85.0% of the lower of the fair market value on the first or the last day of each offering period. The 15.0% discount given to our employees is included in compensation and benefits expense in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income.

- Definition

Description containing the entire pension and other postretirement benefits disclosure as a single block of text.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 158

-Paragraph 7, 21, 22

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 132R

-Paragraph 5, 6, 7, 8

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 132R

-Paragraph 8

-Subparagraph m

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 106

-Paragraph 518

Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 87

-Paragraph 264

Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 132R

-Paragraph 5

-Subparagraph b

Reference 7: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 132R

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-Subparagraph a

Reference 8: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 132R

-Paragraph 5

-Subparagraph h

Reference 9: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 132R

-Paragraph 5

-Subparagraph q

Reference 10: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name FASB Staff Position (FSP)

-Number FAS106-2

-Paragraph 20, 21, 22

Reference 11: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Emerging Issues Task Force (EITF)

-Number 03-2

-Paragraph 8

Reference 12: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher AICPA

-Name Accounting Principles Board Opinion (APB)

-Number 30

-Paragraph 26

Reference 13: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Implementation Guide (Q and A)

-Number FAS88

-Paragraph 63

+ Details

Share-Based Compensation

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2010

Share-Based Compensation

10. Share-Based Compensation

We have a share-based compensation program that provides our board of directors broad discretion in creating employee equity incentives. Share-based awards, or equity awards, include employee options, restricted stock (which includes awards and units) and performance share units, or PSUs. Grants of equity awards are designed to reward employees for their long-term contributions and provide incentives for them to remain with us. For accounting purposes, we consider PSUs to be a form of restricted stock. Restricted stock is generally time-based and vests over two to five-year periods beginning on the date of the grant. Stock options are also generally time-based and expire ten years from the grant date. Stock option awards granted prior to January 1, 2005 generally vested 33% on each annual anniversary of the grant date over three years. Stock option and restricted stock awards granted after January 1, 2005 generally include performance-based accelerated vesting features based on achievement of specific levels of corporate performance. If NASDAQ OMX exceeds the applicable performance parameters, the grants vest on the third anniversary of the grant date, if NASDAQ OMX meets the applicable performance parameters, the grants vest on the fourth anniversary, and if NASDAQ OMX does not meet the applicable performance parameters, the grants vest on the fifth anniversary of the grant date.

PSUs are based on performance measures that impact the amount of shares that each recipient will receive upon vesting. PSUs are granted at the fair market value of our stock at the grant date and compensation cost is recognized over the performance period and, in certain cases, an additional vesting period. For each grant of PSUs, an employee may receive from 0% to 150% of the target amount granted, depending on the achievement of performance measures. We report the target number of PSUs granted, unless we have determined that it is more likely than not, based on the actual achievement of performance measures, that an employee will receive a different amount of shares underlying the PSUs, in which case we report the amount of shares the employee is likely to receive.

Stock Option Exchange Program

In May 2010, the NASDAQ OMX shareholders approved a proposal to allow for a one-time voluntary stock option exchange program, designed to provide eligible employees an opportunity to exchange some or all of their eligible underwater stock options for

a lesser amount of replacement stock options to be granted with a lower exercise price and a longer vesting period. Participants in the program were entitled to receive one replacement option for each 1.4 eligible options exchanged. Stock options eligible for the exchange were granted on or after January 1, 2006 and on or before June 30, 2008 with an exercise price greater than $30.00. The program commenced on July 7, 2010 and expired on August 3, 2010. A total of 0.8 million eligible stock options were tendered by employees, representing 90% of the total stock options eligible for exchange. On August 3, 2010, we granted 0.6 million new replacement stock options with an exercise price of $20.04, which was equal to the closing price of our common stock on that date, as reported on The NASDAQ Stock Market. The replacement options are subject to a new vesting schedule and will vest in three equal annual installments on August 3, 2011, August 3, 2012 and August 3, 2013 and will have a term of seven years. In accordance with U.S. GAAP, no incremental stock option expense was recognized for the replacement options as the fair value of the replacement options did not exceed the fair value of the exchanged options.

Summary of 2010 Equity Awards

In March 2010, we granted non-qualified stock options and/or restricted stock to most active employees. Both the stock options and restricted stock granted included a performance-based accelerated vesting feature based on achievement of specific levels of corporate performance, as described above.

During the nine months ended September 30, 2010, certain executive officers and a select group of non-officer employees also received grants of 537,348 PSUs. These PSUs are subject to a one-year performance period and generally vest ratably on December 31, 2011, December 31, 2012 and December 31, 2013. In addition, our Chief Executive Officer received a grant of PSUs under the terms of his employment agreement with a target amount of 80,000 shares. This grant is subject to a three-year performance period and will vest at the end of the performance period. During 2009, we exceeded applicable performance parameters for prior year PSU awards. As a result, an additional 84,585 PSUs were considered granted in February 2010.

See “Summary of Stock Option Activity” and “Summary of Restricted Stock and PSU Activity” below for further discussion.

Summary of Share-Based Compensation Expense

The following table shows the total share-based compensation expense resulting from equity awards and the 15.0% discount for the ESPP for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009 in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income:


	Three Months Ended September 30,						Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2010			2009			2010			2009
	(in millions)
Share-based compensation expense before income taxes	$	8		$	8		$	25		$	25
Income tax benefit		(3	)		(3	)		(10	)		(10	)

Share-based compensation expense after income taxes	$	5		$	5		$	15		$	15

We estimated the fair value of stock option awards using the Black-Scholes valuation model with the following weighted-average assumptions:


	Three Months Ended September 30,						Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2010			2009			2010			2009
Expected life (in years)		5			5			5			5
Weighted-average risk free interest rate		1.70	%		2.39	%		2.27	%		2.53	%
Expected volatility		32.0	%		36.0	%		32.0	%		36.0	%
Dividend yield		—			—			—			—
Weighted-average fair value at grant date	$	5.96		$	6.93		$	6.36		$	7.41

Our computation of expected life is based on historical exercise patterns. The interest rate for periods within the expected life of the award is based on the U.S. Treasury yield curve in effect at the time of grant. Our computation of expected volatility is based on a combination of historical and market-based implied volatility. Our credit facility limits our ability to pay dividends. Before our credit facility was in place, it was not our policy to declare or pay cash dividends on our common stock.

Summary of Stock Option Activity

A summary of stock option activity for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 is as follows:


	Stock Options			Weighted- Average Exercise Price		Weighted- Average Remaining Contractual Term		Aggregate Intrinsic Value
						(in years)		(in millions)
Outstanding at January 1, 2010		10,206,871		$	18.18		6.0	$	68

Grants ⁽¹⁾		1,840,296			19.86
Exercises		(381,997	)		8.61
Forfeitures or expirations		(351,048	)		30.60
Stock option exchange program ⁽²⁾		(846,129	)		38.96

Outstanding at September 30, 2010		10,467,993		$	16.73		6.0	$	61

Exercisable at September 30, 2010		5,943,641		$	10.99		3.8	$	61

⁽¹⁾

Primarily reflects our company wide equity grant issued in March 2010, which included a performance-based accelerated vesting feature based on achievement of specific levels of corporate performance, as described above, and issuance of replacement stock options resulting from our stock option exchange program. See “Stock Option Exchange Program” above for further discussion.

⁽²⁾	Represents stock options tendered in our stock option exchange program. See “Stock Option Exchange Program” above for further discussion.

We received net cash proceeds of $1 million from the exercise of approximately 0.1 million stock options for the three months ended September 30, 2010 and received net cash proceeds of $3 million from the exercise of approximately 0.4 million stock options for the nine months ended September 30, 2010. We received net cash proceeds of $1 million from the exercise of approximately 0.1 million stock options for the three months ended September 30, 2009 and received net cash proceeds of $6 million from the exercise of approximately 0.7 million stock options for the nine months ended September 30, 2009. We present excess tax benefits from the exercise of stock options, if any, as financing cash flows.

The aggregate intrinsic value in the above table represents the total pre-tax intrinsic value (i.e., the difference between our closing stock price on September 30, 2010 of $19.43 and the exercise price, times the number of shares) based on stock options with an exercise price less than NASDAQ OMX’s closing price of $19.43 as of September 30, 2010, which would have been received by the option holders had the option holders exercised their stock options on that date. This amount changes based on the fair market value of our common stock. The total number of in-the-money stock options exercisable as of September 30, 2010 was 5.2 million. As of September 30, 2009, 6.3 million outstanding stock options were exercisable and the weighted-average exercise price was $10.34.

Total fair value of stock options vested was immaterial for both the three months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009, $1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 and $4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2009. The total pre-tax intrinsic value of stock options exercised was $1 million for the three months ended September 30, 2010, $4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2010, $1 million for the three months ended September 30, 2009 and $9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2009.

At September 30, 2010, $17 million of total unrecognized compensation cost related to stock options is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 1.8 years.

Summary of Restricted Stock and PSU Activity

A summary of restricted stock and PSU activity for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 is as follows:


	Restricted Stock			Weighted- Average Grant Date Fair Value		PSUs			Weighted- Average Grant Date Fair Value
Unvested at January 1, 2010		2,208,748		$	27.48		552,682		$	31.59
Granted ⁽¹⁾		1,173,006			19.75		701,933			20.30
Vested		(71,701	)		31.06		(120,000	)		33.19
Forfeited		(180,327	)		27.36		(44,917	)		28.41

Unvested at September 30, 2010		3,129,726		$	24.51		1,089,698		$	24.27

⁽¹⁾	Restricted stock grants primarily reflect our company wide grant issued in March 2010, which included a performance-based accelerated vesting feature based on achievement of specific levels of corporate performance, as described above.

At September 30, 2010, $44 million of total unrecognized compensation cost related to restricted stock and PSUs is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 1.8 years.

Common Shares Available Under Our Equity Incentive Plan and ESPP

Shares issued as a result of equity awards and our ESPP are generally first issued out of common stock in treasury. If the treasury stock balance is depleted, shares will be issued out of common stock as newly issued shares. As of September 30, 2010, we had approximately 12.4 million shares of common stock authorized for future issuance under our equity incentive plan and ESPP.

Earnings Per Common Share

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2010

Earnings Per Common Share

11. Earnings Per Common Share

The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted earnings per share:


	Three Months Ended September 30,				Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2010		2009		2010			2009
	(in millions, except share and per share amounts)
Numerator:
Net income attributable to NASDAQ OMX	$	101	$	60	$	258		$	223
Accretion of series A convertible preferred stock		—		—		(1	)		—

Net income for basic earnings per share		101		60		257			223
Interest impact of 3.75% convertible notes, net of tax		—		1		—			2

Net income for diluted earnings per share	$	101	$	61	$	257		$	225

Denominator:
Weighted-average common shares outstanding for basic earnings per share		200,115,483		203,311,334		205,558,649			202,526,588

Weighted-average effect of dilutive securities:
Employee equity awards		3,922,926		3,886,753		3,611,480			3,991,080
3.75% convertible notes assumed converted into common stock		34,482		7,832,973		34,482			8,099,916

Denominator for diluted earnings per share		204,072,891		215,031,060		209,204,611			214,617,584

Basic and diluted earnings per share:
Basic earnings per share	$	0.51	$	0.30	$	1.25		$	1.10

Diluted earnings per share	$	0.50	$	0.28	$	1.23		$	1.05

For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010, the weighted-average common shares outstanding for basic earnings per share include the weighted-average impact of our share repurchase program. For the three months ended September 30, 2010, we repurchased 5,011,345 shares of our common stock and for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 we repurchased 15,050,647 shares of our common stock. In addition, for the nine months ended September 30, 2010, the weighted-average common shares outstanding for basic earnings per share include the weighted-average impact of 845,646 shares of our common stock that were issued in connection with the conversion of our series A convertible preferred stock in the second quarter of 2010. See “Share Repurchase Program,” and “Preferred Stock,” of Note 12, “NASDAQ OMX Stockholders’ Equity,” for further discussion.

Stock options to purchase 10,467,993 shares of common stock, 4,219,424 shares of restricted stock and PSUs, and convertible notes convertible into 34,482 shares of common stock were outstanding at September 30, 2010. For the three months ended September 30, 2010, we included 5,170,077 of the outstanding stock options and 3,196,888 shares of restricted stock and PSUs in the computation of diluted earnings per share, on a weighted-average basis, as their inclusion was dilutive. The remaining stock options and shares of restricted stock and PSUs are antidilutive, and as such, they were properly excluded. For the nine months ended September 30, 2010, we included 5,170,077 of the outstanding stock options and 1,479,215 shares of restricted stock and PSUs in the computation of diluted earnings per share, on a weighted-average basis, as their inclusion was dilutive. The remaining stock options and shares of restricted stock and PSUs are antidilutive, and as such, they were properly excluded.

In September 2009, most of the holders of our outstanding 3.75% convertible notes converted their remaining outstanding notes into common stock in accordance with the terms of the notes, which resulted in the issuance of an aggregate of 8,246,680 shares of our common stock. The 3.75% convertible notes were accounted for under the if-converted method, as we settled the convertible notes in shares of our common stock. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010, all of the remaining shares underlying the outstanding 3.75% convertible notes were included in the computation of diluted earnings per share, on a weighted-average basis, as their inclusion was dilutive.

The 2.50% convertible senior notes are accounted for under the treasury stock method as it is our intent and policy to settle the principal amount of the notes in cash. Based on the settlement structure of the 2.50% convertible senior notes, which permits the principal amount to be settled in cash and the conversion premium to be settled in shares of our common stock or cash, we will reflect the impact of the convertible spread portion of the convertible notes in the diluted calculation using the treasury stock method. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010, the conversion spread of our 2.50% convertible senior notes was out of the money, and as such, they were properly excluded from the computation of diluted earnings per share.

Stock options to purchase 10,375,045 shares of common stock and 2,959,237 shares of restricted stock and PSUs were outstanding at September 30, 2009. For the three months ended September 30, 2009, we included 5,688,572 of the options outstanding and 1,315,648 shares of restricted stock and PSUs in the computation of diluted earnings per share, on a weighted-average basis, as their inclusion was dilutive. The remaining options and shares of restricted stock and PSUs were antidilutive, and as such, they were properly excluded. For the nine months ended September 30, 2009, we included 5,688,572 of the options outstanding, 1,235,648 shares of restricted stock and PSUs, and all of the shares underlying the outstanding 3.75% convertible notes in the computation of diluted earnings per share, on a weighted-average basis, as their inclusion was dilutive. The remaining options and shares of restricted stock and PSUs were antidilutive, and as such, they were properly excluded.

NASDAQ OMX Stockholders' Equity

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2010

NASDAQ OMX Stockholders' Equity

12. NASDAQ OMX Stockholders’ Equity

Common Stock

At September 30, 2010, 300,000,000 shares of our common stock were authorized, 212,993,586 shares were issued and 197,826,542 shares were outstanding. The holders of common stock are entitled to one vote per share, except that our certificate of incorporation limits the ability of any person to vote in excess of 5.0% of the then-outstanding voting interests in us. 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 voting interests in us. In 2008, we issued 60,561,515 shares of common stock to Borse Dubai and a trust for Borse Dubai’s economic benefit in connection with the OMX AB business combination. Borse Dubai and the trust are subject to these voting limitations in our certificate of incorporation that are discussed above.

Common Stock in Treasury, at Cost

We account for the purchase of treasury stock under the cost method with the shares of stock repurchased reflected as a reduction to NASDAQ OMX stockholders’ equity and included in common stock in treasury, at cost in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. When treasury shares are reissued, they are recorded at the average cost of the treasury shares acquired. As of September 30, 2010, we held 15,167,044 shares of common stock in treasury and held 327,722 shares as of December 31, 2009. The increase during the nine months ended September 30, 2010 was primarily due to our share repurchase program. See “Share Repurchase Program” below for further discussion.

Share Repurchase Program

On March 2, 2010, we announced that our board of directors had approved a share repurchase program authorizing NASDAQ OMX to repurchase in the aggregate up to $300 million of our outstanding common stock. In July 2010, our board of directors authorized a repurchase of up to an additional $100 million of our outstanding common stock under the share repurchase program and in October 2010 authorized a repurchase of up to an additional $150 million shares bringing the total authorized amount to $550 million of our outstanding common stock. Purchases by NASDAQ OMX under this program may be made from time to time at prevailing market prices in open market purchases, privately-negotiated transactions, block purchase techniques or otherwise, as determined by our management. The purchases will be funded from existing cash balances. The share repurchase program does not

obligate us to acquire any particular amount of common stock. The timing, frequency and amount of repurchase activity will depend on a variety of factors, such as levels of cash generation from operations, cash requirements for investments in our businesses, current stock price, market conditions and other factors. The share repurchase program has no expiration date but may be suspended, modified or discontinued at any time. During the nine months ended September 30, 2010, we repurchased 15,050,647 shares of our common stock at an average price of $19.95, with an aggregate purchase price of $300 million. The shares repurchased are available for general corporate purposes. The remaining authorized amount for share repurchases under this program was $250 million as of the date of this report.

Other Repurchases of Common Stock

For the nine months ended September 30, 2010, we repurchased 66,175 shares of our common stock in settlement of employee tax withholding obligations due upon the vesting of restricted stock.

Preferred Stock

Our certificate of incorporation authorizes the issuance of 30,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value $0.01 per share, issuable from time to time in one or more series. At September 30, 2010, 1,600,000 shares of series A convertible preferred stock were issued and none were outstanding. At December 31, 2009, 1,600,000 shares of series A convertible preferred stock were issued and outstanding, and were classified as temporary equity in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.

In 2009, as an inducement for the conversion of our 3.75% convertible notes, we agreed to pay the Holders and certain of their affiliates an aggregate amount of $9 million in cash and to issue to the Holders 1,600,000 shares of our series A convertible preferred stock, with an aggregate initial liquidation preference amount of $16 million. Conversion of the series A convertible preferred stock was contingent upon shareholder approval and did not represent an unconditional obligation to transfer assets. In accordance with U.S. GAAP, if the conversion and subsequent issuance of equity shares is not solely in the control of the issuer and the instrument does not represent an unconditional obligation to transfer assets, permanent equity classification is not permitted. Therefore, we recorded the fair value of the series A convertible preferred stock of $15 million as temporary equity in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2009. The series A convertible preferred stock was accreted through retained earnings, through the date of shareholder approval, up to the aggregate liquidation preference amount of $16 million.

At our annual shareholders’ meeting in May 2010, the shareholders approved the conversion of the series A convertible preferred stock into common stock. The series A convertible preferred stock automatically converted into 845,646 shares of common stock determined by dividing the initial liquidation preference amount of $16 million by $18.92, which represents the average daily volume weighted-average price, or VWAP, of NASDAQ OMX’s common stock during the 10 day period immediately preceding the date on which the results of the shareholder vote was calculated. At the time of conversion, the VWAP was subject to a floor price of 80% of the price of NASDAQ OMX’s common stock as of the initial issuance date, and a ceiling price of 120% of the price of NASDAQ OMX’s common stock as of the initial issuance date. The changes in our series A convertible preferred stock during the nine months ended September 30, 2010 are as follows:


	Series A Convertible Preferred Stock
	(in millions)
Balance as of December 31, 2009	$	15
Accretion for the nine months ended September 30, 2010		1
Conversion into common stock		(16	)

Balance as of September 30, 2010	$	—

- Definition

Disclosures related to accounts comprising shareholders' equity, including other comprehensive income. Includes: (1) balances of common stock, preferred stock, additional paid-in capital, other capital and retained earnings; (2) accumulated balance for each classification of other comprehensive income and total amount of comprehensive income; (3) amount and nature of changes in separate accounts, including the number of shares authorized and outstanding, number of shares issued upon exercise and conversion, and for other comprehensive income, the adjustments for reclassifications to net income; (4) rights and privileges of each class of stock authorized; (5) basis of treasury stock, if other than cost, and amounts paid and accounting treatment for treasury stock purchased significantly in excess of market; (6) dividends paid or payable per share and in the aggregate for each class of stock for each period presented; (7) dividend restrictions and accumulated preferred dividends in arrears (in aggregate and per share amount); (8) retained earnings appropriations or restrictions, such as dividend restrictions; (9) impact of change in accounting principle, initial adoption of new accounting principle and correction of an error in previously issued financial statements; (10) shares held in trust for Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP); (11) deferred compensation related to issuance of capital stock; (12) note received for issuance of stock; (13) unamortized discount on shares; (14) description, terms and number of warrants or rights outstanding; (15) shares under subscription and subscription receivables; effective date of new retained earnings after quasi-reorganization and deficit eliminated by quasi-reorganization and, for a period of at least ten years after the effective date, the point in time from which the new retained dates; and (16) retroactive effective of subsequent change in capital structure.

+ References+ Details

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2010

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

13. Fair Value of Financial Instruments

Fair Value Measurement—Definition and Hierarchy

Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability, or the exit price, in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. Fair value measurement establishes a hierarchy of valuation techniques based on whether the inputs to those valuation techniques are observable or unobservable. Observable inputs reflect market data obtained from independent sources, while unobservable inputs reflect NASDAQ OMX’s market assumptions. These two types of inputs create the following fair value hierarchy:

•

Level 1—Quoted prices for identical instruments in active markets.

•

Level 2—Quoted prices for similar instruments in active markets; quoted prices for identical or similar instruments in markets that are not active; and model-derived valuations whose inputs are observable or whose significant value drivers are observable.

•

Level 3—Instruments whose significant value drivers are unobservable.

This hierarchy requires the use of observable market data when available.

The following table presents for each of the above hierarchy levels, our financial assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis at September 30, 2010:


	Balance as of September 30, 2010		Fair Value Measurements
			(Level 1)		(Level 2)		(Level 3)
			(in millions)
Financial Assets Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis
Market value, outstanding derivative positions ⁽¹⁾	$	1,657	$	—	$	1,657	$	—
Financial investments, at fair value ⁽²⁾		343		343		—		—

Total	$	2,000	$	343	$	1,657	$	—


Financial Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis
Market value, outstanding derivative positions ⁽¹⁾	$	1,657	$	—	$	1,657	$	—

Total	$	1,657	$	—	$	1,657	$	—

⁽¹⁾

Represents net amounts associated with our clearing operations in the derivative markets of NASDAQ OMX Commodities and NASDAQ OMX Stockholm. Receivables and payables attributable to outstanding derivative positions have been netted to the extent that such a legal offset right exists and, at the same time, if it is our intention to settle these items. See “Market Value, Outstanding Derivative Positions” below for further discussion.

⁽²⁾

Primarily comprised of Swedish government debt securities of $305 million. These securities are classified as trading securities and $191 million are restricted assets to meet regulatory capital requirements for NASDAQ OMX Stockholm’s clearing operations. Also includes our 1% available-for-sale investment in DFM of $38 million that is classified as an available-for-sale security. See Note 6, “Investments,” for further discussion of our trading securities and available-for-sale security.

The following table presents for each of the above hierarchy levels, our financial assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis at December 31, 2009:


	Balance as of December 31, 2009		Fair Value Measurements
			(Level 1)		(Level 2)		(Level 3)
			(in millions)
Financial Assets Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis
Market value, outstanding derivative positions ⁽¹⁾	$	2,054	$	—	$	2,054	$	—
Financial investments, at fair value ⁽²⁾		308		308		—		—

Total	$	2,362	$	308	$	2,054	$	—


Financial Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis
Market value, outstanding derivative positions ⁽¹⁾	$	2,054	$	—	$	2,054	$	—
Other liabilities ⁽³⁾		10		—		10		—

Total	$	2,064	$	—	$	2,064	$	—

⁽¹⁾

⁽²⁾	Primarily comprised of Swedish government debt securities. These securities are classified as trading securities and $183 million are restricted assets to meet regulatory capital requirements for NASDAQ OMX Stockholm’s clearing operations.

⁽³⁾

Primarily includes our interest rate swaps of $9 million included in other liabilities in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. We determine the fair value of our interest rate swap contracts using standard valuation models that are based on market-based observable inputs including forward and spot exchange rates and interest rate curves. See “Cash Flow Hedges,” of Note 14, “Derivative Financial Instruments and Hedging Activities,” for further discussion.

Market Value, Outstanding Derivative Positions at NASDAQ OMX Commodities and NASDAQ OMX Stockholm

Through our clearing operations in the derivative markets with NASDAQ OMX Commodities and NASDAQ OMX Stockholm, we are the legal counterparty for each derivative position traded and thereby guarantee the fulfillment of each contract. The derivatives are not used by NASDAQ OMX Commodities or NASDAQ OMX Stockholm for the purpose of trading on their own behalf. As a legal counterparty of each transaction, NASDAQ OMX Commodities and NASDAQ OMX Stockholm bear the counterparty risk. The counterparty risks are measured using models that are agreed with the financial inspection authority of the country in question which requires us to provide minimum guarantees and maintain certain levels of regulatory capital.

The structure and operations of NASDAQ OMX Commodities and NASDAQ OMX Stockholm differ from other clearinghouses. NASDAQ OMX Commodities and NASDAQ OMX Stockholm are not member-owned organizations, do not maintain a guarantee fund to which members contribute and do not enforce loss sharing assessments amongst members. In addition, unlike other clearinghouses, they do not record any margin deposits and guarantee funds in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets, as all risks and rewards of collateral ownership, including interest, belongs to the counterparty.

As such, the market value of the above mentioned derivative contracts for NASDAQ OMX Commodities and NASDAQ OMX Stockholm are reported gross on the balance sheet as a receivable pertaining to the purchasing party and a payable pertaining to the selling party. Such receivables and payables attributable to outstanding derivative positions have been netted to the extent that such a legal offset right exists and, at the same time, if it is our intention to settle these items. At September 30, 2010, our market value of outstanding derivative positions in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets was $1.7 billion. See “Guarantees Issued, Credit Facilities Available and Collateral Received for Clearing Operations,” of Note 15, “Commitments, Contingencies and Guarantees,” for further discussion of our guarantees on the fulfillment of these contracts and collateral received.

The following table presents the fair value of our outstanding derivative positions at September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009 prior to netting:


	September 30, 2010				December 31, 2009
	Asset		Liability		Asset		Liability
	(in millions)
Forwards and options ^(1) (2)	$	1,130	$	1,130	$	1,642	$	1,642
Fixed-income options and futures ^(2) (3)		564		564		131		131
Stock options and futures ^(2) (3)		177		177		194		194
Index options and futures ^(2) (3)		152		152		235		235

Total	$	2,023	$	2,023	$	2,202	$	2,202

⁽¹⁾	We determine the fair value of our forward contracts using standard valuation models that are based on market-based observable inputs including LIBOR rates and the spot price of the underlying instrument.

⁽²⁾	We determine the fair value of our option contracts using standard valuation models that are based on market-based observable inputs including implied volatility, interest rates and the spot price of the underlying instrument.

⁽³⁾	We determine the fair value of our future contracts based upon quoted market prices and average quoted market yields.

We also consider our debt obligations to be financial instruments. The fair value of our debt obligations was estimated using discounted cash flow analyses based on our assumed incremental borrowing rates for similar types of borrowing arrangements and a Black-Scholes valuation technique that is utilized to calculate the convertible option value for the 3.75% convertible notes and the 2.50% convertible senior notes. At September 30, 2010, the carrying value of our debt obligations, before the $43 million unamortized debt discount on the 2.50% convertible senior notes, was approximately $9 million less than fair value. The difference primarily relates to an increase in the fair value of the 2.50% convertible senior notes as a result of changes in current market interest rates during the period, partially offset by a decrease in fair value on the 2.50% convertible senior notes due to the convertible option feature which is equivalent to a conversion price of approximately $55.13 as compared to the closing price of $19.43 at September 30, 2010. At December 31, 2009, the carrying value of our debt obligations, before the $54 million unamortized debt discount on the 2.50% convertible senior notes, was approximately $20 million more than fair value, primarily due to a decrease in fair value on the 2.50% convertible senior notes due to the convertible option feature which is equivalent to a conversion price of approximately $55.13 as compared to the closing price of $19.82 at December 31, 2009. For further discussion of our debt obligations, see Note 8, “Debt Obligations.”

Financial Instruments Not Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis

Some of our financial instruments are not measured at fair value on a recurring basis but are recorded at amounts that approximate fair value due to their liquid or short-term nature. Such financial assets and financial liabilities include: cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash, receivables, net, certain other current assets, accounts payable and accrued expenses, Section 31 fees payable to SEC, accrued personnel costs, and certain other current liabilities.

- Definition

This item represents the complete disclosure regarding the fair value of financial instruments (as defined), including financial assets and financial liabilities (collectively, as defined), and the measurements of those instruments, assets, and liabilities. Such disclosures about the financial instruments, assets, and liabilities would include: (1) the fair value of the required items together with their carrying amounts (as appropriate); (2) for items for which it is not practicable to estimate fair value, disclosure would include: (a) information pertinent to estimating fair value (including, carrying amount, effective interest rate, and maturity, and (b) the reasons why it is not practicable to estimate fair value; (3) significant concentrations of credit risk including: (a) information about the activity, region, or economic characteristics identifying a concentration, (b) the maximum amount of loss the Company is exposed to based on the gross fair value of the related item, (c) policy for requiring collateral or other security and information as to accessing such collateral or security, and (d) the nature and brief description of such collateral or security; (4) quantitative information about market risks and how such risk is are managed; (5) for items measured on both a recurring and nonrecurring basis information regarding the inputs used to develop the fair value measurement; and (6) for items presented in the financial statement for which fair value measurement is elected: (a) information necessary to understand the reasons for the election, (b) discussion of the effect of fair value changes on earnings, (c) a description of [similar groups] items for which the election is made and the relation thereof to the balance sheet, the aggregate carrying value of items included in the balance sheet that are not eligible for the election; (7) all other required (as defined) and desired information.

+ References+ Details

Derivative Financial Instruments and Hedging Activities

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2010

Derivative Financial Instruments and Hedging Activities

14. Derivative Financial Instruments and Hedging Activities

In the ordinary course of business, we may enter into various types of derivative transactions. These derivative transactions include:

•

Futures and foreign currency forward contracts which are commitments to buy or sell at a future date a financial instrument, commodity or currency at a contracted price and may be settled in cash or through delivery.

•

Interest rate swap contracts which are agreements between two parties to exchange one stream of future interest payments for another based on a specified principal amount over a set period of time.

•

Foreign currency option contracts which give the purchaser, for a fee, the right, but not the obligation, to buy or sell within a limited time a financial instrument or currency at a contracted price that may also be settled in cash, based on differentials between specified indices or prices.

NASDAQ OMX may use these derivative financial instruments to manage exposure to various market risks, primarily foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations and changes in interest rates on our variable rate debt, and such instruments are an integral component of our market risk and related asset/liability management strategy and processes.

Fair Value Hedges

Depending on market conditions, we may use foreign currency future, forward and option contracts to limit our exposure to foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations on contracted revenue streams (hedged item) relating to our Market Technology sales. When the contracted revenue streams meet the definition of a firm commitment, these derivative contracts may be designated as fair value hedges if the applicable hedge criteria are met. Changes in fair value on the derivatives and the related hedged items are recognized in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income. As of September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009, there were no outstanding fair value hedges.

Cash Flow Hedges

In the third quarter of 2008, we entered into interest rate swap agreements that effectively converted $200 million of our senior secured credit facilities in place as of December 31, 2009, which was floating rate debt, to a fixed rate basis through August 2011, thus reducing the impact of interest rate changes on future interest expense. As of December 31, 2009, these interest rate swaps were in a net liability position of $9 million and were recorded in other liabilities in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. In the first quarter of 2010, in connection with the repayment of our senior secured credit facilities in place as of December 31, 2009, we terminated our interest rate swaps and reclassified into earnings the unrealized loss of $9 million which was included in accumulated other comprehensive loss in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets at December 31, 2009. This loss is included in general, administrative and other expense in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income for the nine months ended September 30, 2010. See “Senior Unsecured Notes, Credit Facility and Repayment of Our Senior Secured Credit Facilities in Place as of December 31, 2009,” of Note 8, “Debt Obligations,” for further discussion.

All derivative contracts used to manage interest rate risk are measured at fair value and are recorded in assets or liabilities as appropriate with the offset in accumulated other comprehensive loss within NASDAQ OMX stockholders’ equity in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. Any ineffectiveness would impact earnings through interest expense. There was no material ineffectiveness recorded in earnings for both the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009. As of September 30, 2010, there were no outstanding cash flow hedges.

Net Investment Hedges

Net assets of our foreign subsidiaries are exposed to volatility in foreign currency exchange rates. We may utilize net investment hedges to offset the translation adjustment arising from remeasuring our investment in foreign subsidiaries. As of September 30, 2010, there were no outstanding net investment hedges.

Derivatives Not Designated as Hedges

NASDAQ OMX may also enter into economic hedges that either do not qualify or are not designated for hedge accounting treatment. This type of hedge is undertaken when hedge accounting requirements cannot be achieved or management decides not to apply hedge accounting.

We did not enter into any material economic hedges that did not qualify or were not designated for hedge accounting during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009.

Commitments, Contingencies and Guarantees

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2010

Commitments, Contingencies and Guarantees

15. Commitments, Contingencies and Guarantees

Guarantees Issued, Credit Facilities Available and Collateral Received for Clearing Operations

Through the clearing operations of NASDAQ OMX Commodities, NASDAQ OMX Stockholm, IDCG, and NOCC in derivatives and OTC power and gas, we are the legal counterparty for each position traded and thereby guarantee the fulfillment of each contract. We are required to pledge collateral for commitments with other clearinghouses. The amount of these commitments is calculated on the gross exposure between the clearinghouses. As collateral for these obligations, we have obtained financial guarantees and credit facilities which are guaranteed by us through counter indemnities. At September 30, 2010, financial guarantees pledged as collateral totaled $5 million. Credit facilities totaling $195 million at September 30, 2010, of which $1 million was utilized, are available for liquidity purposes in multiple currencies, primarily Swedish Krona and U.S. dollar. These credit facilities can be pledged as collateral. At December 31, 2009, these credit facilities totaled $185 million, none of which was utilized.

In addition, we obtained credit facilities to satisfy regulatory requirements totaling $244 million, none of which was utilized as of September 30, 2010. At December 31, 2009, these credit facilities totaled $232 million, none of which was utilized.

We require our customers and clearing members to pledge collateral and meet certain minimum financial standards to mitigate the risk if they become unable to satisfy their obligations. Total customer pledged collateral with NASDAQ OMX Commodities and NASDAQ OMX Stockholm was $6.2 billion at September 30, 2010 and $6.1 billion at December 31, 2009. This pledged collateral is held by a custodian bank. Since these funds are not held by NASDAQ OMX Commodities and NASDAQ OMX Stockholm and they are not available for our use, we do not receive any interest income on these funds. Customer pledged cash collateral held by NOCC, which was immaterial at September 30, 2010, is included in restricted cash with an offsetting liability included in other current liabilities in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets, as the risks and rewards of collateral ownership, including interest income, belongs to NOCC. Clearing member pledged cash collateral held by IDCG was $8 million at September 30, 2010 and is included in non-current restricted cash with an offsetting liability included in other liabilities in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets, as the risks and rewards of collateral ownership, including interest income, belongs to IDCG.

We believe that the potential for us to be required to make payments under these arrangements is mitigated through the pledged collateral and our risk management policies. Accordingly, no contingent liability is recorded in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets for these arrangements.

Other Guarantees

We have provided other guarantees as of September 30, 2010 of $19 million, primarily related to obligations for our rental and leasing contracts. In addition, for certain Market Technology contracts, we have provided performance guarantees of $6 million related to the delivery of software technology and support services. We have received financial guarantees from various financial institutions to support the above guarantees. At December 31, 2009, the total of these guarantees was $35 million.

We have also provided a $25 million guarantee to our wholly-owned subsidiary, NOCC to cover losses associated with customer defaults, net of any collateral posted against such losses.

We believe that the potential for us to be required to make payments under these arrangements is unlikely. Accordingly, no contingent liability is recorded in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets for the above guarantees.

Leases

We lease some of our office space and equipment under non-cancelable operating leases with third parties and sublease office space to third parties. Some of our leases contain renewal options and escalation clauses based on increases in property taxes and building operating costs.

Brokerage Activities

Nasdaq Execution Services and NASDAQ Options Services provide guarantees to securities clearinghouses and exchanges under their standard membership agreements, which require members to guarantee the performance of other members. If a member becomes unable to satisfy its obligations to the clearinghouses, other members would be required to meet its shortfalls. To mitigate these performance risks, the exchanges and clearinghouses often require members to post collateral as well as meet certain minimum financial standards. Nasdaq Execution Services’ and NASDAQ Options Services’ maximum potential liability under these arrangements cannot be quantified. However, we believe that the potential for Nasdaq Execution Services and NASDAQ Options Services to be required to make payments under these arrangements is unlikely. Accordingly, no contingent liability is recorded in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets for these arrangements.

Litigation

We may be subject to claims arising out of the conduct of our business. We are not currently a party to any litigation that we believe could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, or operating results. However, from time to time, we have been threatened with, or named as a defendant in, lawsuits or involved in regulatory proceedings.

Segments

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2010

Segments

16. Segments

We manage, operate and provide our products and services in three business segments: our Market Services segment, our Issuer Services segment and our Market Technology segment.

Our Market Services segment includes our U.S. and European Transaction Services businesses and our Market Data business, which are interrelated because the Transaction Services businesses generate the quote and trade information that we sell to market participants and data distributors. Market Services also includes our Broker Services business. Our Broker Services operations offer technology and customized securities administration solutions to financial participants in the Nordic markets.

Our Issuer Services segment includes our Global Listing Services and Global Index Group businesses. The companies listed on The NASDAQ Stock Market and the exchanges that comprise NASDAQ OMX Nordic and NASDAQ OMX Baltic represent a diverse array of industries. This diversity of companies listed on NASDAQ OMX markets allows us to develop industry-specific and other indexes that we use to develop and license NASDAQ OMX branded indexes, associated derivatives and financial products as part of our Global Index Group. The Global Listing Services business also includes our Corporate Services business, which generates revenues through our shareholder, directors, newswire and other services. Our Corporate Services business provides customer support services, products and programs to companies, including companies listed on our exchanges.

Through our Market Technology segment, we provide technology solutions for trading, clearing and settlement, and information dissemination, and also offer facility management integration and advisory services. With our recent acquisition of SMARTS, we also provide market surveillance solutions to exchanges, regulators and brokers.

Our management allocates resources, assesses performance and manages these businesses as three separate segments. We evaluate the performance of our segments based on several factors, of which the primary financial measure is income before income taxes. Results of individual businesses are presented based on our management accounting practices and our management structure. Certain amounts are allocated to corporate items in our management reports based on the decision that those activities should not be used to evaluate the segment’s operating performance.

The following table presents certain information regarding these operating segments for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009:


	Market Services			Issuer Services		Market Technology			Corporate Items and Eliminations			Consolidated
	(in millions)
Three months ended September 30, 2010
Total revenues	$	628		$	85	$	38		$	—		$	751
Cost of revenues		(379	)		—		—			—			(379	)

Revenues less liquidity rebates, brokerage, clearance and exchange fees		249			85		38			—			372

Income before income taxes	$	111		$	30	$	1		$	1		$	143

Three months ended September 30, 2009
Total revenues	$	692		$	82	$	36		$	—		$	810
Cost of revenues		(461	)		—		—			—			(461	)

Revenues less liquidity rebates, brokerage, clearance and exchange fees		231			82		36			—			349

Income (loss) before income taxes ⁽¹⁾	$	85		$	28	$	(3	)	$	(26	)	$	84

Nine months ended September 30, 2010
Total revenues	$	2,029		$	255	$	106		$	1		$	2,391
Cost of revenues		(1,270	)		—		—			—			(1,270	)

Revenues less liquidity rebates, brokerage, clearance and exchange fees		759			255		106			1			1,121

Income (loss) before income taxes ⁽²⁾	$	335		$	90	$	5		$	(52	)	$	378
Nine months ended September 30, 2009
Total revenues	$	2,247		$	246	$	100		$	1		$	2,594
Cost of revenues		(1,510	)		—		—			—			(1,510	)

Revenues less liquidity rebates, brokerage, clearance and exchange fees		737			246		100			1			1,084

Income (loss) before income taxes ⁽³⁾	$	312		$	77	$	5		$	(54	)	$	340

⁽¹⁾	For the three months ended September 30, 2009, corporate items and eliminations include debt conversion expense of $25 million related to an inducement for the conversion of our 3.75% convertible notes completed in September 2009.

⁽²⁾

For the nine months ended September 30, 2010, corporate items and eliminations include charges of $40 million related to the repayment of our senior secured credit facilities in place as of December 31, 2009 and $11 million related to loss on divestiture of businesses as a result of our decision to close the businesses of both NEURO ($6 million) and Agora-X ($5 million). See “Senior Unsecured Notes, Credit Facility and Repayment of Our Senior Secured Credit Facilities in Place as of December 31, 2009,” of Note 8, “Debt Obligations,” for further discussion of the charges related to the repayment of our senior secured credit facilities.

⁽³⁾

For the nine months ended September 30, 2009, corporate items and eliminations include charges of $25 million of debt conversion expense related to an inducement for the conversion of our 3.75% convertible notes completed in September 2009, $19 million related to the loss on the sale of our 25.25% share capital in Orc and $5 million related to the loss on the sale of an available-for-sale investment in Oslo, which was acquired as part of our business combination with OMX AB.

For further discussion of our segments’ results, see “Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Segment Operating Results.”