Nasdaq announced today that in the first half of 2020 it welcomed 69 initial public offerings (IPOs), raising a total of $17.4 billion, extending its leadership to 26 consecutive quarters.

A total of 55 operating companies listed during the first six months of 2020, representing an 85 percent win rate in the U.S. market. In addition to the IPOs, five companies switched from the NYSE to join Nasdaq, according to the announcement.

Through the first two quarters of 2020, Nasdaq-listed companies raised 77 percent of all IPO proceeds of operating companies, including four of the five largest IPOs by capital raised: Royalty Pharma (raised $2.18B), Warner Music Group (raised $1.93B), PPD (raised $1.62B), and Reynolds Consumer Products (raised $1.23B).

Covid-19 impact

Additionally, Nasdaq took measures to support issuers through the Covid-19 pandemic:

• Nasdaq-listed companies that were impacted by the pandemic and could not timely file Exchange Act reports were given automatic extensions based on SECrelief;
• Nasdaq provided temporary relief from the continued listing bid price and market value of publicly held shares requirements through the second quarter and created a temporary exception from the shareholder approval rules;
• Nasdaq provided unlimited seats at no cost to all existing clients of Nasdaq Boardvantage® and Directors Desk to assist governance professionals who need to maximize their time and facilitate meaningful remote interactions with their boards, committees, and leadership teams. Since March, 2,000 new users have been added.

“Nasdaq takes pride in putting our clients first and providing best in class support to our issuers. The resiliency of our technology has been vital during the pandemic as we experienced unprecedented levels of  Volatility  Volatility In finance, volatility refers to the amount of change in the rate of a financial instrument, such as commodities, currencies, stocks, over a given time period. Essentially, volatility describes the nature of an instrument’s fluctuation; a highly volatile security equates to large fluctuations in price, and a low volatile security equates to timid fluctuations in price. Volatility is an important statistical indicator used by financial traders to assist them in developing trading systems. Traders can be successful in both low and high volatile environments, but the strategies employed are often different depending upon volatility. Why Too Much Volatility is a ProblemIn the FX space, lower volatile currency pairs offer less surprises, and are suited to position traders.High volatile pairs are attractive for many day traders, due to quick and strong movements, offering the potential for higher profits, although the risk associated with such volatile pairs are many. Overall, a look at previous volatility tells us how likely price will fluctuate in the future, although it has nothing to do with direction.All a trader can gather from this is the understanding that the probability of a volatile pair to increase or decrease an X amount in a Y period of time, is more than the probability of a non-volatile pair. Another important factor is, volatility can and does change over time, and there can be periods when even highly volatile instruments show signs of flatness, with price not really making headway in either direction. Too little volatility is just as problematic for markets as too much, we uncertainty in excess can create panic and problems of liquidity. This was evident during Black Swan events or other crisis that have historically roiled currency and equity markets. In finance, volatility refers to the amount of change in the rate of a financial instrument, such as commodities, currencies, stocks, over a given time period. Essentially, volatility describes the nature of an instrument’s fluctuation; a highly volatile security equates to large fluctuations in price, and a low volatile security equates to timid fluctuations in price. Volatility is an important statistical indicator used by financial traders to assist them in developing trading systems. Traders can be successful in both low and high volatile environments, but the strategies employed are often different depending upon volatility. Why Too Much Volatility is a ProblemIn the FX space, lower volatile currency pairs offer less surprises, and are suited to position traders.High volatile pairs are attractive for many day traders, due to quick and strong movements, offering the potential for higher profits, although the risk associated with such volatile pairs are many. Overall, a look at previous volatility tells us how likely price will fluctuate in the future, although it has nothing to do with direction.All a trader can gather from this is the understanding that the probability of a volatile pair to increase or decrease an X amount in a Y period of time, is more than the probability of a non-volatile pair. Another important factor is, volatility can and does change over time, and there can be periods when even highly volatile instruments show signs of flatness, with price not really making headway in either direction. Too little volatility is just as problematic for markets as too much, we uncertainty in excess can create panic and problems of liquidity. This was evident during Black Swan events or other crisis that have historically roiled currency and equity markets. Read this Term in the market,” said Nelson Griggs, president at Nasdaq  Stock Exchange  Stock Exchange A stock exchange, also known as a securities exchange or bourse represents is a facility where stockbrokers and traders can buy and sell securities.This includes shares of stock, bonds, exchange-traded funds (ETFs), or other financial instruments. By extension, stock exchanges can also provide facilities for the issue and redemption of such securities and instruments and capital events including the payment of income and dividendsStock exchanges have developed into a permanent fixture in the financial market and some of the most visible entities in the entire industry. Nearly every developed country boasts a domestic stock exchange, with many varying in importance and size.The largest stock exchanges in the world as of May 2020 include the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE), NASDAQ, Tokyo Stock Exchange, Hong Kong Stock Exchange, London Stock Exchange, EURONEXT, and Shenzen Stock Exchange. What Functions Do Stock Exchanges Perform?Stock exchanges have a variety of utility within the modern financial system. As its name suggests, a stock exchange is often the most important component of a stock market.Another crucial element of stock exchanges is the prevalence of initial public offerings (IPOs) of company stocks and bonds to investors. This is performed in both the primary market and subsequent trading the secondary market.Not any company or entity can be included on a stock exchange. To be able to trade a security on a certain exchange requires the listing of specific securities. Trading on an exchange is restricted to certified brokers who are members of the exchange. The traditional image of crowded trading floors has waned in recent years to include other various other trading venues.This includes electronic communication networks, alternative trading systems and "dark pools" which have ultimately seen the migration of trading activity away from traditional stock exchanges. A stock exchange, also known as a securities exchange or bourse represents is a facility where stockbrokers and traders can buy and sell securities.This includes shares of stock, bonds, exchange-traded funds (ETFs), or other financial instruments. By extension, stock exchanges can also provide facilities for the issue and redemption of such securities and instruments and capital events including the payment of income and dividendsStock exchanges have developed into a permanent fixture in the financial market and some of the most visible entities in the entire industry. Nearly every developed country boasts a domestic stock exchange, with many varying in importance and size.The largest stock exchanges in the world as of May 2020 include the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE), NASDAQ, Tokyo Stock Exchange, Hong Kong Stock Exchange, London Stock Exchange, EURONEXT, and Shenzen Stock Exchange. What Functions Do Stock Exchanges Perform?Stock exchanges have a variety of utility within the modern financial system. As its name suggests, a stock exchange is often the most important component of a stock market.Another crucial element of stock exchanges is the prevalence of initial public offerings (IPOs) of company stocks and bonds to investors. This is performed in both the primary market and subsequent trading the secondary market.Not any company or entity can be included on a stock exchange. To be able to trade a security on a certain exchange requires the listing of specific securities. Trading on an exchange is restricted to certified brokers who are members of the exchange. The traditional image of crowded trading floors has waned in recent years to include other various other trading venues.This includes electronic communication networks, alternative trading systems and "dark pools" which have ultimately seen the migration of trading activity away from traditional stock exchanges. Read this Term.

“While many aspects of our lives changed, the processes related to IPOs, trading and market operations at Nasdaq have remained the same. This enables us to operate remotely at full capacity, and continue to support our clients, issuers and investors without any disruption,” he added.

First six months of 2020: Nasdaq U.S. listing highlights

• S.listings market leadership: Nasdaq welcomed 69 IPOs, raising $17.4 billion. Four of the top five largest IPOs by capital raised listed on Nasdaq, including the largest IPO, Royalty Pharma, and the largest technology IPO, ZoomInfo Technologies. Despite a brief pause in the IPO market in March, the total proceeds raised was on par with the amount raised during the same period in 2019.
• Leading S.exchange for healthcare, technology, consumer and VC-backed IPOs: Nasdaq maintained its strong track record in VC-backed listings, with a win rate of 93 percent. Win rates for healthcare, technology and consumer were 97 percent, 90 percent and 78 percent, respectively. Nasdaq also welcomed the listings of consumer companies DraftKings and Nikola Motor Company through their SPAC business combinations.
• Continued momentum in listing transfers: Nasdaq welcomed five switches from NYSE in the first half of 2020, representing a combined $9.1 billionin market value. The total market value of all companies joining Nasdaq from the NYSE since 2005 exceeds $1.61 trillion.