Nasdaq Q4 Earnings Exceed Expectations
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: Jan 29 2026
0mins
Should l Buy NDAQ?
Source: seekingalpha
- Earnings Beat: Nasdaq reported a Q4 non-GAAP EPS of $0.96, surpassing expectations by $0.04, indicating a sustained improvement in profitability that bolsters investor confidence.
- Significant Revenue Growth: The company achieved revenues of $1.39 billion in Q4, reflecting a 13.0% year-over-year increase and exceeding forecasts by $20 million, showcasing strong market demand and successful business expansion.
- Positive Market Reaction: Nasdaq's robust earnings report is likely to drive its stock price higher, attracting more investor interest and enhancing market expectations for future growth potential.
- Strategic Development Outlook: With SEC approval to add stock options expirations on Mondays and Wednesdays, Nasdaq is expected to further diversify its product offerings, enhance market competitiveness, and increase trading volumes.
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Analyst Views on NDAQ
Wall Street analysts forecast NDAQ stock price to rise
11 Analyst Rating
10 Buy
1 Hold
0 Sell
Strong Buy
Current: 79.010
Low
96.00
Averages
105.89
High
115.00
Current: 79.010
Low
96.00
Averages
105.89
High
115.00
About NDAQ
Nasdaq, Inc. is a global technology company serving corporate clients, investment managers, banks, brokers, and exchange operators as they navigate and interact with the global capital markets and the broader financial system. The Company manages, operates and provides its products and services in three business segments: Capital Access Platforms, Financial Technology and Market Services. Its Capital Access Platforms segment comprises Data & Listing Services, Index and Workflow & Insights. The Financial Technology segment comprises Financial Crime Management Technology, Regulatory Technology and Capital Markets Technology businesses. Its Market Services segment includes its equity derivative trading and clearing, cash equity trading, fixed income, currency and commodities trading. It operates over 19 exchanges across several asset classes, including derivatives, commodities, cash equity, debt, structured products and exchange-traded products (ETPs).
About the author
Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
Analyzing the Investment Outlook for Invesco QQQ Trust
- Long-Term Returns: The Invesco QQQ Trust has risen approximately 84% over the past five years, averaging a compounded annual growth rate of 13%, significantly outperforming the historical 10% average return of the S&P 500, indicating its potential as a long-term investment.
- Short-Term Volatility Risks: While the QQQ Trust offers exposure to the Nasdaq-100 index, its top holdings like Palantir and Tesla, trading at over 200 times earnings, may face significant declines if the market corrects, suggesting potential volatility in the short term.
- Stable Market Performance: As of Monday's close, the Invesco QQQ Trust has remained flat since the beginning of the year, with a current price of $615.54 and a daily trading range between $612.40 and $617.02, reflecting cautious market sentiment regarding its future trajectory.
- Confidence in Long-Term Investment: Despite the presence of overpriced stocks that could hinder performance in the near term, the QQQ Trust still provides a solid opportunity for investors to access top growth stocks globally, with expectations of strong returns over a five-plus year investment horizon.
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- Platform Launch: Nasdaq announced the launch of the Nasdaq Private Capital Indexes on Tuesday, designed to assist institutional investors and consultants in accurately benchmarking performance, analyzing exposures, and navigating private capital markets, thereby enhancing the scientific and precise nature of investment decisions.
- Index Integration: The index suite unifies the Nasdaq Private Capital Indexes, Nasdaq eVestment Fund and Deal Benchmarking, Nasdaq eVestment Private Fund Universe, and Nasdaq eVestment TopQ+ Analytics platform, creating a comprehensive market analysis tool that enhances investors' insights into market dynamics.
- Market Demand Response: By launching this new platform, Nasdaq not only addresses the urgent need for efficient investment tools among institutional investors but also further solidifies its leadership position in the private capital market, which is expected to attract more capital inflows.
- Future Growth Potential: This innovative initiative by Nasdaq complements its future trading plans, indicating the company's ongoing efforts to promote market transparency and efficiency, which may lay the groundwork for long-term growth.
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- Market Coverage: The indexes are constructed from over 14,000 institutional private market funds representing more than $11.4 trillion in global AUM, employing a rules-based methodology that ensures data transparency and consistency, thereby enhancing investor confidence.
- Data Integration: Delivered through the Nasdaq eVestment TopQ+ platform, the indexes not only improve asset allocation and comparative performance capabilities but also streamline data management and system integration, addressing institutions' growing demands for greater transparency and stronger operational infrastructure.
- Strategic Implications: As allocations to private markets increase, Nasdaq's Private Capital Solutions reflect a long-term commitment to equipping institutions with the necessary tools to make better investment decisions in a rapidly evolving market landscape.
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Investor Concerns: The introduction of this AI model has raised concerns among investors, suggesting potential challenges for financial research companies.
See More
Nasdaq Proposes Accelerated Inclusion of New Large-Cap Stocks to Nasdaq 100 Index
- Rule Change: Nasdaq proposes to accelerate the inclusion of newly listed large-cap stocks into the Nasdaq 100 Index, allowing stocks with market capitalizations ranking within the top 40 to enter quickly, enhancing market liquidity and attractiveness.
- IPO Opportunities: With tech giants like SpaceX preparing for IPOs, the fast entry rule will provide these companies with quicker market access, likely attracting more investor attention.
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- Implementation Timeline: If the proposal is finalized, it will be implemented after the March 23, 2026 quarterly rebalance, marking Nasdaq's adaptability to changing market dynamics.
See More
Nasdaq Proposes Fast Entry Rule for New Listings
- New Rule Proposal: Nasdaq has proposed a 'Fast Entry' rule that allows newly listed companies with a market cap among the top 40 to be included in the index with at least five trading days' notice, significantly reducing delays for IPOs and exchange transfers.
- Market Impact: The implementation of this rule is expected to enable tech giants like Elon Musk's SpaceX and AI startup Anthropic to be reflected in the index more quickly in 2026, thereby boosting investor confidence in the market.
- Index Composition Adjustment: The new rule allows new listings to temporarily increase the number of constituents without replacing existing index members, which is anticipated to enhance the representativeness of the Nasdaq 100 index.
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Analyzing the Investment Outlook for Invesco QQQ Trust
- Long-Term Returns: The Invesco QQQ Trust has risen approximately 84% over the past five years, averaging a compounded annual growth rate of 13%, significantly outperforming the historical 10% average return of the S&P 500, indicating its potential as a long-term investment.
- Short-Term Volatility Risks: While the QQQ Trust offers exposure to the Nasdaq-100 index, its top holdings like Palantir and Tesla, trading at over 200 times earnings, may face significant declines if the market corrects, suggesting potential volatility in the short term.
- Stable Market Performance: As of Monday's close, the Invesco QQQ Trust has remained flat since the beginning of the year, with a current price of $615.54 and a daily trading range between $612.40 and $617.02, reflecting cautious market sentiment regarding its future trajectory.
- Confidence in Long-Term Investment: Despite the presence of overpriced stocks that could hinder performance in the near term, the QQQ Trust still provides a solid opportunity for investors to access top growth stocks globally, with expectations of strong returns over a five-plus year investment horizon.
See More
Nasdaq Launches Private Capital Indexes for Investors
- Platform Launch: Nasdaq announced the launch of the Nasdaq Private Capital Indexes on Tuesday, designed to assist institutional investors and consultants in accurately benchmarking performance, analyzing exposures, and navigating private capital markets, thereby enhancing the scientific and precise nature of investment decisions.
- Index Integration: The index suite unifies the Nasdaq Private Capital Indexes, Nasdaq eVestment Fund and Deal Benchmarking, Nasdaq eVestment Private Fund Universe, and Nasdaq eVestment TopQ+ Analytics platform, creating a comprehensive market analysis tool that enhances investors' insights into market dynamics.
- Market Demand Response: By launching this new platform, Nasdaq not only addresses the urgent need for efficient investment tools among institutional investors but also further solidifies its leadership position in the private capital market, which is expected to attract more capital inflows.
- Future Growth Potential: This innovative initiative by Nasdaq complements its future trading plans, indicating the company's ongoing efforts to promote market transparency and efficiency, which may lay the groundwork for long-term growth.
See More
Nasdaq Launches Private Capital Indexes for Enhanced Benchmarking
- Index Launch: Nasdaq has introduced a new suite of Private Capital Indexes designed to provide institutional investors with transparency and reliable benchmarks, aiding them in precise analysis and decision-making within complex private markets, marking a significant evolution in Nasdaq Private Capital Solutions.
- Market Coverage: The indexes are constructed from over 14,000 institutional private market funds representing more than $11.4 trillion in global AUM, employing a rules-based methodology that ensures data transparency and consistency, thereby enhancing investor confidence.
- Data Integration: Delivered through the Nasdaq eVestment TopQ+ platform, the indexes not only improve asset allocation and comparative performance capabilities but also streamline data management and system integration, addressing institutions' growing demands for greater transparency and stronger operational infrastructure.
- Strategic Implications: As allocations to private markets increase, Nasdaq's Private Capital Solutions reflect a long-term commitment to equipping institutions with the necessary tools to make better investment decisions in a rapidly evolving market landscape.
See More
Anthropic Unveils New Model for Financial Analysis as Stock Prices Decline.
New AI Model: Anthropic has developed an artificial intelligence model designed to assist with financial analyses and spreadsheet creation.
Investor Concerns: The introduction of this AI model has raised concerns among investors, suggesting potential challenges for financial research companies.
See More
Nasdaq Proposes Accelerated Inclusion of New Large-Cap Stocks to Nasdaq 100 Index
- Rule Change: Nasdaq proposes to accelerate the inclusion of newly listed large-cap stocks into the Nasdaq 100 Index, allowing stocks with market capitalizations ranking within the top 40 to enter quickly, enhancing market liquidity and attractiveness.
- IPO Opportunities: With tech giants like SpaceX preparing for IPOs, the fast entry rule will provide these companies with quicker market access, likely attracting more investor attention.
- Significant ETF Impact: Under the new rules, ETFs based on the Nasdaq 100, such as the Invesco QQQ ETF with $412 billion in assets under management, will automatically include new stocks, further driving capital inflows into the market.
- Implementation Timeline: If the proposal is finalized, it will be implemented after the March 23, 2026 quarterly rebalance, marking Nasdaq's adaptability to changing market dynamics.
See More
Nasdaq Proposes Fast Entry Rule for New Listings
- New Rule Proposal: Nasdaq has proposed a 'Fast Entry' rule that allows newly listed companies with a market cap among the top 40 to be included in the index with at least five trading days' notice, significantly reducing delays for IPOs and exchange transfers.
- Market Impact: The implementation of this rule is expected to enable tech giants like Elon Musk's SpaceX and AI startup Anthropic to be reflected in the index more quickly in 2026, thereby boosting investor confidence in the market.
- Index Composition Adjustment: The new rule allows new listings to temporarily increase the number of constituents without replacing existing index members, which is anticipated to enhance the representativeness of the Nasdaq 100 index.
- Strategic Significance: As tech giants leverage AI to drive valuations into the hundreds of billions, this proposal will help Nasdaq better align with market dynamics, reinforcing its position as the preferred exchange for technology companies.
See More
