Nasdaq Launches International Designation to Offer Non-U.S. Companies Increased Visibility to U.S. Investment Community

NEW YORK, Dec. 09, 2015 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Nasdaq, Inc. NDAQ today announced the launch of the Nasdaq International Designation, a new visibility offering available to non-U.S. companies that have Level 1 ADRs or shares that trade on the over-the-counter market. The first companies to participate in the Nasdaq International Designation program, which represent a diverse range of industry sectors, include:

• Continental AG CTTAY CON
• Qantas Airways QABSY QAN
• Audio Pixels Holdings ADPXY AKP
• BE Semiconductor Industries N.V. BESIY BESI
• CYBERDYNE Inc. CYBQY (TYO:7779)
• Earthport plc EPCUF EPO
• Kubota Corporation KUBTY (TYO:6326)
• Marfrig Global Foods MRRTY (BM&F Bovespa:MRFG3)
• Nautilus Minerals Inc. NUSMF NUS
• Rakuten Inc.* RKUNY (TYO:4755)
• Roxgold Inc. ROGFF (TSX-V:ROG)

In an effort to attract greater visibility and awareness to their U.S.-traded Level 1 ADRs, the membership benefits of the designation include access to a wide array of Nasdaq's unique visibility assets for reaching investors and customers.  Members will be able to use the designation on public relations and investor relations materials and will receive Nasdaq's IR services to better understand the trading of the U.S. shares and tools to help identify and target U.S. investors.

"The U.S. capital markets are home to the largest pool of investor capital in the world, but many U.S. investors do not invest in Level 1 ADRs traded on the OTC," said Nelson Griggs, Executive Vice President, Nasdaq. "We are excited about helping world-class companies increase awareness with investors through the Nasdaq International Designation. The launch of this program is very timely given the current macroeconomic environment, whereby many U.S. investors are looking to take advantage of the strong U.S. dollar to invest in international companies that are experiencing strong growth."

Members must be in compliance with the listing standards on their home country market and meet additional financial and liquidity requirements. Member companies are not listed or traded on The Nasdaq Stock Market and are not subject to the same listing or qualification standards applicable to securities listed or traded on the exchange.

For further information on membership requirements and to apply for the Nasdaq International Designation, please visit http://business.nasdaq.com/list/international-designation.

* Non-permanent basis

About Nasdaq:

Nasdaq NDAQ is a leading provider of trading, clearing, exchange technology, listing, information and public company services across six continents. Through its diverse portfolio of solutions, Nasdaq enables customers to plan, optimize and execute their business vision with confidence, using proven technologies that provide transparency and insight for navigating today's global capital markets. As the creator of the world's first electronic stock market, its technology powers more than 70 marketplaces in 50 countries, and 1 in 10 of the world's securities transactions. Nasdaq is home to more than 3,600 listed companies with a market value of approximately $8.8 trillion and more than 10,000 corporate clients. To learn more, visit: nasdaq.com/ambition or business.nasdaq.com. 

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