UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

_______________________________

FORM 10-Q

Commission file number: 001-38855

___________________________________

Nasdaq, Inc.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: +1 212 401 8700

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes ☒ No ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files). Yes ☒ No ☐

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

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes ☐ No ☒

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date.

Nasdaq, Inc.

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About this Form 10-Q

Throughout this Form 10-Q, unless otherwise specified:

• “Nasdaq,” “we,” “us” and “our” refer to Nasdaq, Inc.

• “Nasdaq Baltic” refers to collectively, Nasdaq Tallinn AS, Nasdaq Riga, AS, and AB Nasdaq Vilnius.

• “Nasdaq BX” refers to the cash equity exchange operated by Nasdaq BX, Inc.

• “Nasdaq BX Options” refers to the options exchange operated by Nasdaq BX, Inc.

• “Nasdaq Clearing” refers to the clearing operations conducted by Nasdaq Clearing AB.

• “Nasdaq CXC” and “Nasdaq CX2” refer to the Canadian cash equity trading books operated by Nasdaq CXC Limited.

• “Nasdaq First North” refers to our alternative marketplaces for smaller companies and growth companies in the Nordic and Baltic regions.

• “Nasdaq GEMX” refers to the options exchange operated by Nasdaq GEMX, LLC.

• “Nasdaq ISE” refers to the options exchange operated by Nasdaq ISE, LLC.

• “Nasdaq MRX” refers to the options exchange operated by Nasdaq MRX, LLC.

• “Nasdaq Nordic” refers to collectively, Nasdaq Clearing AB, Nasdaq Stockholm AB, Nasdaq Copenhagen A/S, Nasdaq Helsinki Ltd, and Nasdaq Iceland hf.

• “Nasdaq PHLX” refers to the options exchange operated by Nasdaq PHLX LLC.

• “Nasdaq PSX” refers to the cash equity exchange operated by Nasdaq PHLX LLC.

• “The Nasdaq Options Market” refers to the options exchange operated by The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC.

• “The Nasdaq Stock Market” refers to the cash equity exchange and listing venue operated by The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC.

Nasdaq also provides as a tool for the reader the following list of abbreviations and acronyms that are used throughout this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.

401(k) Plan: Voluntary Defined Contribution Savings Plan

2020 Credit Facility: $1.25 billion senior unsecured revolving credit facility, which matures on December 22, 2025

2022 Notes: $600 million aggregate principal amount of 0.445% senior unsecured notes due December 21, 2022

2024 Notes: $500 million aggregate principal amount of 4.25% senior unsecured notes due June 1, 2024, repaid in full and terminated in April 2022

2026 Notes: $500 million aggregate principal amount of 3.85% senior unsecured notes due June 30, 2026

2029 Notes: €600 million aggregate principal amount of 1.75% senior unsecured notes due March 28, 2029

2030 Notes: €600 million aggregate principal amount of 0.875% senior unsecured notes due February 13, 2030

2031 Notes: $650 million aggregate principal amount of 1.650% senior unsecured notes due January 15, 2031

2033 Notes: €615 million aggregate principal amount of 0.900% senior unsecured notes due July 30, 2033

2040 Notes: $650 million aggregate principal amount of 2.500% senior unsecured notes due December 21, 2040

2050 Notes: $500 million aggregate principal amount of 3.25% senior unsecured notes due April 28, 2050

2052 Notes: $550 million aggregate principal amount of 3.95% senior unsecured notes due March 7, 2052

ARR: Annual Recurring Revenue

ASU: Accounting Standards Update

ASR: Accelerated Share Repurchase

AUM: Assets Under Management

CCP: Central Counterparty

EMIR: European Market Infrastructure Regulation

Equity Plan: Nasdaq Equity Incentive Plan

ESG: Environmental, Social and Governance

ESPP: Nasdaq Employee Stock Purchase Plan

ETF: Exchange Traded Fund

ETP: Exchange Traded Product

Exchange Act: Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended

FICC: Fixed Income and Commodities Trading and Clearing

FINRA: Financial Industry Regulatory Authority

IPO: Initial Public Offering

LIBOR: London Interbank Offered Rate

NFF: Nasdaq Financial Framework; Nasdaq's end-to-end technology solutions for market infrastructure operators, buy-side firms, sell-side firms and other non-financial markets

NPM: The NASDAQ Private Market, LLC

NSCC: National Securities Clearing Corporation

OCC: The Options Clearing Corporation

OTC: Over-the-Counter

PSU: Performance Share Unit

SaaS: Software as a Service

SEC: U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission

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SERP: Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan

SFSA: Swedish Financial Supervisory Authority

S&P: Standard & Poor’s

S&P 500: S&P 500 Stock Index

SPAC: Special Purpose Acquisition Company

TSR: Total Shareholder Return

U.S. GAAP: U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles

NASDAQ, the NASDAQ logos, and other brand, service or product names or marks referred to in this report are trademarks or service marks, registered or otherwise, of Nasdaq, Inc. and/or its subsidiaries. FINRA and Trade Reporting Facility are registered trademarks of FINRA.

This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q includes market share and industry data that we obtained from industry publications and surveys, reports of governmental agencies and internal company surveys. Industry publications and surveys generally state that the information they contain has been obtained from sources believed to be reliable, but we cannot assure you that this information is accurate or complete. We have not independently verified any of the data from third-party sources nor have we ascertained the underlying economic assumptions relied upon therein. Statements as to our market position are based on the most currently available

market data. For market comparison purposes, The Nasdaq Stock Market data in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for IPOs is based on data generated internally by us; therefore, the data may not be comparable to other publicly-available IPO data. Data in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for new listings of equity securities on The Nasdaq Stock Market is based on data generated internally by us, which includes issuers that switched from other listing venues, closed-end funds and ETPs. Data in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for IPOs and new listings of equity securities on the Nasdaq Nordic and Nasdaq Baltic exchanges and Nasdaq First North also is based on data generated internally by us. IPOs and new listings data is presented as of period end. While we are not aware of any misstatements regarding industry data presented herein, our estimates involve risks and uncertainties and are subject to change based on various factors. We refer you to the “Risk Factors” section in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2022, and the "Risk Factors" section in our Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021 that was filed with the SEC on February 23, 2022.

Nasdaq intends to use its website, ir.nasdaq.com, as a means for disclosing material non-public information and for complying with SEC Regulation FD and other disclosure obligations.

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Forward-Looking Statements

The SEC encourages companies to disclose forward-looking information so that investors can better understand a company’s future prospects and make informed investment decisions. This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q contains these types of statements. Words such as “may,” “will,” “could,” “should,” “anticipates,” “envisions,” “estimates,” “expects,” “projects,” “intends,” “plans,” “believes” and words or terms of similar substance used in connection with any discussion of future expectations as to industry and regulatory developments or business initiatives and strategies, future operating results or financial performance, and other future developments are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These include, among others, statements relating to:

*•*our strategic direction;

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

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

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

• our products and services;

• the impact of pricing changes;

• tax matters;

• the cost and availability of liquidity and capital;

*•*any litigation, or any regulatory or government investigation or action, to which we are or could become a party or which may affect us; and

*•*the ongoing impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on our business, operations, results of operations, financial condition and workforce.

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

*•*our operating results may be lower than expected;

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

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

*•*our ability to develop and grow our non-trading businesses, including our technology and analytics offerings;

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

• economic, political and market conditions and fluctuations, including inflation, interest rate and foreign currency risk, inherent in U.S. and international operations, and geopolitical instability arising from the Russian invasion of Ukraine;

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

• any significant error in our operational processes;

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

*•*adverse changes that may occur in the litigation or regulatory areas, or in the securities markets generally, or increased regulatory oversight domestically or internationally.

Most of these factors are difficult to predict accurately and are generally beyond our control. You should consider the uncertainty and any risk related to forward-looking statements that we make. These risk factors are more fully described in the “Risk Factors” section in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2022, and the "Risk Factors" section in our Form 10-K that was filed with the SEC on February 23, 2022. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this report. You should carefully read this entire Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, including “Part I, Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and the condensed consolidated financial statements and the related notes. Except as required by the federal securities laws, we undertake no obligation to update any forward-looking statement, release publicly any revisions to any forward-looking statements or report the occurrence of unanticipated events. For any forward-looking statements contained in any document, we claim the protection of the safe harbor for forward-looking statements contained in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.

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PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Nasdaq, Inc.

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets

(in millions, except share and par value amounts)

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

Nasdaq, Inc.

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income

(Unaudited)

(in millions, except per share amounts)

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The following discussion and analysis of the financial condition and results of operations of Nasdaq should be read in conjunction with our condensed consolidated financial statements and related notes included in this Form 10-Q.

OVERVIEW

Nasdaq is a global technology company serving the capital markets and other industries. Our diverse offerings of data, analytics, software and services enables clients to optimize and execute their business vision with confidence.

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

First Quarter 2022 and Recent Developments

Cash Dividend on Common Stock

• In April 2022, the board of directors approved a regular quarterly cash dividend of $0.60 per share on our outstanding common stock, which reflects an increase of 11% from our most recent quarterly cash dividend of $0.54 per share.

• For the three months ended March 31, 2022, we returned $89 million to shareholders through dividend payments.

Share Repurchase Program

*•*In January 2022, we entered into an ASR agreement to repurchase $325 million of common stock. We received a total delivery of 1,876,387 shares of common stock and completed the ASR program during the first quarter of 2022.

*•*In the first quarter of 2022, in addition to the ASR described above, we repurchased 735,865 shares of common stock for an aggregate of $142 million.

• As of March 31, 2022, the remaining amount authorized for share repurchases under our share repurchase program was $459 million.

Recent Developments

• We have assessed the impact of the Russian invasion of Ukraine and as of March 31, 2022, we do not believe we have material exposure to Russian clients. We will continue to assess the ongoing impact of the war.

Corporate Highlights

• Overall AUM in ETPs benchmarked to our proprietary indexes totaled $401 billion as of March 31, 2022, an increase of 4% compared to March 31, 2021. Additionally, the number of futures and options on futures contracts tracking Nasdaq indexes set a quarterly record with 147 million contracts traded, an increase of 40% year over year.

• The Nasdaq Stock Market led U.S. exchanges for IPOs during the first quarter of 2022. The Nasdaq Stock Market IPO win rate was 86% in the first quarter of 2022, including 70 IPOs representing $9 billion in capital raised. There were 27 operating company and 43 special purpose acquisition company IPOs during the period.

• Market Services net revenues totaled $315 million in the first quarter of 2022, the second highest quarterly revenues versus the record achieved in the first quarter of 2021. In the equity derivatives business, Nasdaq led all exchanges during the first quarter of 2022 in total multiply-listed U.S. options traded and achieved record net revenues of $112 million. Nasdaq’s Nordic equities markets saw strong volumes with the value of shares traded on Nasdaq’s Nordic and Baltic markets totaling €289 billion, the highest in the last decade.

Financial Summary

The following table summarizes our financial performance for the three months ended March 31, 2022 when compared to the same period in 2021. The comparability of our results of operations between reported periods is impacted by the acquisition of Verafin in February 2021 and the divestiture of our U.S. Fixed Income business in June 2021, which was part of our FICC business within our Market Services segment, as well as the contribution of our NPM business in July 2021 to a standalone, independent company, of which we own the largest minority interest, together with a consortium of third party financial institutions. See “2021 Divestiture,” and “2021 Acquisition,” of Note 4, “Acquisition and Divestiture,” to the condensed consolidated financial statements for further discussion. For a detailed discussion of our results of operations, see “Segment Operating Results” below.

In countries with currencies other than the U.S. dollar, revenues and expenses are translated using monthly average exchange rates. Impacts on our revenues less transaction-based expenses and operating income associated with fluctuations in foreign currency are discussed in more detail under “Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk.”

Nasdaq's Operating Results

The following chart summarizes our ARR (in millions):

ARR for a given period is the annualized revenue derived from subscription contracts with a defined contract value. This excludes contracts that are not recurring, are one-time in nature, or where the contract value fluctuates based on defined metrics. ARR is one of our key performance metrics to assess the health and trajectory of our recurring business. ARR does not have any standardized definition and is therefore unlikely to be comparable to similarly titled measures presented by other companies. ARR should be viewed independently of revenue and deferred revenue and is not intended to be combined with or to replace either of those items. ARR is not a forecast and the active contracts at the end of a reporting period used in calculating ARR may or may not be extended or renewed by our customers.

The ARR chart includes:

The following chart summarizes our quarterly annua

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As a result of our operating, investing and financing activities, we are exposed to market risks such as interest rate risk and foreign currency exchange rate risk. We are also exposed to credit risk as a result of our normal business activities.

We have implemented policies and procedures to measure, manage, monitor and report risk exposures, which are reviewed regularly by management and the board of directors. We identify risk exposures and monitor and manage such risks on a daily basis.

We perform sensitivity analyses to determine the effects of market risk exposures. We may use derivative instruments solely to hedge financial risks related to our financial positions or risks that are incurred during the normal course of business. We do not use derivative instruments for speculative purposes.

Interest Rate Risk

We are subject to the risk of fluctuating interest rates in the normal course of business. Our exposure to market risk for changes in interest rates relates primarily to our financial investments and debt obligations, which are discussed below.

Financial Investments

As of March 31, 2022, our investment portfolio was primarily comprised of highly rated European government debt securities, which pay a fixed rate of interest. These securities are subject to interest rate risk and the fair value of these securities will decrease if market interest rates increase. If market interest rates were to increase immediately and uniformly by a hypothetical 100 basis points from levels as of March 31, 2022, the fair value of this portfolio would have declined by $5 million.

Debt Obligations

As of March 31, 2022, the majority of our debt obligations were fixed-rate obligations. Interest rates on certain tranches of notes are subject to adjustment to the extent our debt rating is downgraded below investment grade, as further discussed in Note 8, “Debt Obligations,” to the condensed consolidated financial statements. While changes in interest rates will have no impact on the interest we pay on fixed-rate obligations, we are exposed to changes in interest rates as a result of the borrowings under our 2020 Credit Facility, as this facility has a variable interest rate. We are also exposed to changes in interest rates as a result of the amounts outstanding from the sale of commercial paper under our commercial paper program, which have variable interest rates. As of March 31, 2022, there were no outstanding borrowings under our 2020 Credit Facility or commercial paper program.

We may utilize interest rate swap agreements to achieve a desired mix of variable and fixed rate debt.

Foreign Currency Exchange Rate Risk

We are subject to foreign currency exchange rate risk. Our primary transactional exposure to foreign currency denominated revenues less transaction-based expenses and operating income for the three months ended March 31, 2022 is presented in the following tables:

____________

Represents multiple foreign currency rates.

N/A Not applicable.

Our investments in foreign subsidiaries are exposed to volatility in currency exchange rates through translation of the foreign subsidiaries’ net assets or equity to U.S. dollars. Substantially all of our foreign subsidiaries operate in functional currencies other than the U.S. dollar. The financial statements of these subsidiaries are translated into U.S. dollars for consolidated reporting using a current rate of exchange, with net gains or losses recorded in accumulated other comprehensive loss within stockholders’ equity in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.

Our primary exposure to net assets in foreign currencies as of March 31, 2022 is presented in the following table:

In the table above, Swedish Krona includes goodwill of $2,390 million and intangible assets, net of $563 million.

Credit Risk

Credit risk is the potential loss due to the default or deterioration in credit quality of customers or counterparties. We are exposed to credit risk from third parties, including customers, counterparties and clearing agents. These parties may default on their obligations to us due to bankruptcy, lack of liquidity, operational failure or other reasons. We limit our exposure to credit risk by evaluating the counterparties with which we make investments and execute agreements. For our investment portfolio, our objective is to invest in securities to preserve principal while maximizing yields, without significantly increasing risk. Credit risk associated with investments is minimized substantially by ensuring that these financial assets are placed with governments which have investment grade ratings, well-capitalized financial institutions and other creditworthy counterparties.

Our subsidiary, Nasdaq Execution Services, may be exposed to credit risk due to the default of trading counterparties in connection with the routing services it provides for our trading customers. System trades in cash equities routed to other market centers for members of our cash equity exchanges are routed by Nasdaq Execution Services for clearing to the NSCC. In this function, Nasdaq Execution Services is to be neutral by the end of the trading day, but may be exposed to intraday risk if a trade extends beyond the trading day and into the next day, thereby leaving Nasdaq Execution Services susceptible to counterparty risk in the period between accepting the trade and routing it to the clearinghouse. In this interim period, Nasdaq Execution Services is not novating like a clearing broker but instead is subject to the short-term risk of counterparty failure before the clearinghouse enters the transaction. Once the clearinghouse officially accepts the trade for novation, Nasdaq Execution Services is legally removed from trade execution risk. However, Nasdaq has membership obligations to NSCC independent of Nasdaq Execution Services’ arrangements.

Pursuant to the rules of the NSCC and Nasdaq Execution Services’ clearing agreement, Nasdaq Execution Services is liable for any losses incurred due to a counterparty or a clearing agent’s failure to satisfy its contractual obligations,

either by making payment or delivering securities. Adverse movements in the prices of securities that are subject to these transactions can increase our credit risk. However, we believe that the risk of material loss is limited, as Nasdaq Execution Services’ customers are not permitted to trade on margin and NSCC rules limit counterparty risk on self-cleared transactions by establishing credit limits and capital deposit requirements for all brokers that clear with NSCC. Historically, Nasdaq Execution Services has never incurred a liability due to a customer’s failure to satisfy its contractual obligations as counterparty to a system trade. Credit difficulties or insolvency, or the perceived possibility of credit difficulties or insolvency, of one or more larger or visible market participants could also result in market-wide credit difficulties or other market disruptions.

We have credit risk related to transaction and subscription-based revenues that are billed to customers on a monthly or quarterly basis, in arrears. Our potential exposure to credit losses on these transactions is represented by the receivable balances in our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. We review and evaluate changes in the status of our counterparties’ creditworthiness. Credit losses such as those described above could adversely affect our condensed consolidated financial position and results of operations.

We also are exposed to credit risk through our clearing operations with Nasdaq Clearing. See Note 14, “Clearing Operations,” to the condensed consolidated financial statements for further discussion. Our clearinghouse holds material amounts of clearing member cash deposits, which are held or invested primarily to provide security of capital while minimizing credit, market and liquidity risks. While we seek to achieve a reasonable rate of return, we are primarily concerned with preservation of capital and managing the risks associated with these deposits. As the clearinghouse may pass on interest revenues (minus costs) to the members, this could include negative or reduced yield due to market conditions. The following is a summary of the risks associated with these deposits and how these risks are mitigated.

*•*Credit Risk. When the clearinghouse has the ability to hold cash collateral at a central bank, the clearinghouse utilizes its access to the central bank system to minimize credit risk exposures. When funds are not held at a central bank, we seek to substantially mitigate credit risk by ensuring that investments are primarily placed in large, highly rated financial institutions, highly rated government debt instruments and other creditworthy counterparties.

*•*Liquidity Risk. Liquidity risk is the risk a clearinghouse may not be able to meet its payment obligations in the right currency, in the right place and the right time. To mitigate this risk, the clearinghouse monitors liquidity requirements closely and maintains funds and assets in a manner which minimizes the risk of loss or delay in the access by the clearinghouse to such funds and assets. For example, holding funds with a central bank where possible or investing in highly liquid government debt instruments serves to reduce liquidity risks.

*•*Interest Rate Risk. Interest rate risk is the risk that interest rates rise causing the value of purchased securities to decline. If we were required to sell securities prior to maturity, and interest rates had risen, the sale of the securities might be made at a loss relative to the latest market price. Our clearinghouse seeks to manage this risk by making short term investments of members' cash deposits. In addition, the clearinghouse investment guidelines allow for direct purchases or repurchase agreements with short dated maturities of high quality sovereign debt (for example, European government and U.S. Treasury securities), central bank certificates and multilateral development bank debt instruments.

*•*Security Issuer Risk. Security issuer risk is the risk that an issuer of a security defaults on its payment when the security matures. This risk is mitigated by limiting allowable investments and collateral under reverse repurchase agreements to high quality sovereign, government agency or multilateral development bank debt instruments.

Disclosure controls and procedures. Nasdaq’s management, with the participation of Nasdaq’s President and Chief Executive Officer, and Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, has evaluated the effectiveness of Nasdaq’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) and Rule 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act) as of the end of the period covered by this report. Based upon that evaluation, Nasdaq’s President and Chief Executive Officer and Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, have concluded that, as of the end of such period, Nasdaq’s disclosure controls and procedures are effective.

Changes in internal control over financial reporting. There have been no changes in Nasdaq’s internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) and Rule 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act) that occurred during the quarter ended March 31, 2022 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, Nasdaq’s internal control over financial reporting.

PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1. Legal Proceedings

See “Legal and Regulatory Matters - Litigation,” of Note 17, “Commitments, Contingencies and Guarantees,” to the condensed consolidated financial statements, which is incorporated herein by reference.

In addition to the other information set forth in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, you should carefully consider the factors discussed under “Risk Factors” in our most recent Form 10-K. These risks could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations. The risks and uncertainties in this Form 10-Q and our most recent Form 10-K are not the only ones facing us. Additional risks and uncertainties not presently known to us or that we currently believe to be immaterial may also adversely affect our business.

Our businesses operate in various international markets, including certain emerging markets that are subject to greater political, economic and social uncertainties than developed countries, as well as in regions facing war and related instability.

Our businesses operate in various international markets, including but not limited to Northern Europe, the Baltics, the Middle East, Africa, Eastern Europe and Asia, and our non-U.S. operations are subject to the risk inherent in the international environment. Political, economic or social events or developments in one or more of our non-U.S. locations could adversely affect our operations and financial results. Certain emerging markets in which we operate may be subject to greater political, economic and social uncertainties than developed countries, which may increase our operational risk.

We are also monitoring the effects of Russia’s recent invasion of Ukraine. While we do not expect such conflict will itself be material to Nasdaq, geopolitical instability arising from such conflict, the imposition of sanctions, taxes and/or tariffs against Russia and Russia’s response to such sanctions (including retaliatory acts) could adversely affect the global economic or specific international, regional and domestic markets, which could adversely impact our business and our ability to engage with, and collect payment from, customers in Russia or their affiliates. Additionally, we operate internationally and to the extent future sanctions, laws, regulations or orders imposed by the United States, the European Union, the United Kingdom and other countries in response to the conflict differ between jurisdictions, it could create regulatory uncertainty for our business.

Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

Share Repurchase Program

See “Share Repurchase Program,” of Note 11, “Nasdaq Stockholders’ Equity,” to the condensed consolidated financial statements for further discussion of our share repurchase program.

Purchases of Equity Securities by the Issuer and Affiliated Purchasers

The table below represents repurchases made by or on behalf of us or any “affiliated purchaser” of our common stock during the fiscal quarter ended March 31, 2022:

In the preceding table:

• N/A - Not applicable.

• See “Share Repurchase Program,” of Note 11, “Nasdaq Stockholders’ Equity,” to the condensed consolidated financial statements for further discussion of our share repurchase program.

• Employee transactions represents shares surrendered to us to satisfy tax withholding obligations arising from the vesting of restricted stock and PSUs issued to employees.

• In January 2022, we entered into an ASR agreement to repurchase $325 million of common stock. We completed the ASR program in March 2022. See “ASR Agreement,” of Note 11, “Nasdaq Stockholders’ Equity,” to the condensed consolidated financial statements for further discussion.

Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities

None.

Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures

Not applicable.

None.

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.