Workflow
Nasdaq(NDAQ) - 2024 Q4 - Annual Report
NDAQNasdaq(NDAQ)2025-02-21 21:56

Company Transformation and Acquisitions - In November 2023, the company accelerated its transformation by acquiring Adenza and its two flagship solutions, AxiomSL and Calypso[26]. Market Performance and Listings - As of December 31, 2024, a total of 5,249 companies listed securities on the company's exchanges, with 4,075 on The Nasdaq Stock Market[38]. - In 2024, the company achieved a total of 463 new listings, including 130 operating company IPOs and 50 SPAC IPOs[39]. - The eligible IPO win rate for 2024 was 82%, with operating companies achieving an 80% win rate[39]. Financial Performance - Revenues less transaction-based expenses for 2024 were 4,649million,a19.44,649 million, a 19.4% increase from 3,895 million in 2023[341]. - Operating income for 2024 was 1,798million,reflectinga13.91,798 million, reflecting a 13.9% increase compared to 1,578 million in 2023[341]. - Net income attributable to Nasdaq for 2024 was 1,117million,a5.51,117 million, a 5.5% increase from 1,059 million in 2023[341]. - Diluted earnings per share for 2024 decreased to 1.93,down7.41.93, down 7.4% from 2.08 in 2023[341]. - Cash dividends declared per common share increased to 0.94in2024,a9.30.94 in 2024, a 9.3% rise from 0.86 in 2023[341]. - Total revenues for the year ended December 31, 2024, reached 7,400million,representinga22.07,400 million, representing a 22.0% increase compared to 6,064 million in 2023[345]. Segment Performance - Capital Access Platforms segment generated revenues of 1,972millionin2024,up11.41,972 million in 2024, up 11.4% from 1,770 million in 2023[347]. - Financial Technology segment revenues increased by 47.5% to 1,621millionin2024,comparedto1,621 million in 2024, compared to 1,099 million in 2023[353]. - Market Services revenues grew by 20.9% to 3,771millionin2024,comparedto3,771 million in 2024, compared to 3,156 million in 2023[345]. - Financial Crime Management Technology revenues increased to 273millionin2024,a22.2273 million in 2024, a 22.2% rise from 223 million in 2023[354]. - Regulatory Technology revenues surged by 66.3% to 352millionin2024,comparedto352 million in 2024, compared to 212 million in 2023[353]. - Capital Markets Technology revenues reached 996millionin2024,reflectinga50.0996 million in 2024, reflecting a 50.0% increase from 664 million in 2023[353]. Employee and Workforce Metrics - The company had 9,162 full and part-time employees as of December 31, 2024[160]. - The internal employee engagement score reached a record high of 80% favorable in 2024, with a 94% participation rate in the survey[163]. - The workforce voluntary attrition rate was approximately 6.7% in 2024, nearly one percentage point lower than in 2023[163]. - In 2024, 98% of employees participated in at least one AI training program[166]. - Nasdaq employees raised over 550,000 for more than 800 charities worldwide in 2024[176]. Technology and Innovation - The Financial Technology segment focuses on Financial Crime Management Technology, Regulatory Technology, and Capital Markets Technology[52]. - The company aims to enhance market resiliency and scalability through new technologies such as cloud, blockchain, machine learning, and AI[29]. - Nasdaq is committed to leveraging AI for product development, focusing on areas such as investment analytics and fraud detection, with plans to enhance AI capabilities in 2025[82]. - The company is migrating its exchanges to cloud infrastructure in partnership with AWS, aiming for improved performance and flexibility for clients[85]. - Nasdaq's sustainability data management platform offers AI-powered insights for faster sustainability decisions[10]. Sustainability Initiatives - Nasdaq owns a majority stake in Puro.earth, enhancing its sustainability-focused technologies and offering resources for clients' sustainability objectives[80]. - Nasdaq aims to achieve carbon neutrality across all business operations for the seventh consecutive year by retiring remaining carbon offsets for 2024 by Q3 2025[116]. - Nasdaq was named to the Dow Jones Best-in-Class World Index for the first time in 2024 and maintained an "AA" rating from MSCI, placing it in the "Leaders" category[116]. Competitive Landscape - The Listings Services business in the U.S. and Europe facilitates capital formation through public capital markets, competing primarily with NYSE and various European exchanges[91]. - Nasdaq's market technology business faces competition from both exchange operators and independent technology providers, necessitating continuous investment and innovation[102]. - The Index business competes with various financial indices, including the Nasdaq-100 Index and Nasdaq Composite Index, against providers like S&P Dow Jones Indices and MSCI[93]. - Nasdaq's corporate solutions business faces competition from other exchange operators and firms providing investor relations services alongside listing services[95]. - The Financial Crime Management Technology offerings must demonstrate the ability to decrease false positives and provide insights into potential risks, competing on factors like workflow efficiency and data quality[98]. Regulatory and Compliance - Nasdaq conducts real-time market monitoring and suspicious trading behavior reviews through its Nasdaq Regulation department[127]. - Nasdaq's regulatory service agreements with FINRA ensure proper regulation of the markets[134]. - Nasdaq is subject to MiFID II and MiFIR regulations, impacting its European trading businesses[145]. - Nasdaq CSD SE provides notary, settlement, and central maintenance services in the Baltic countries and is licensed under European regulations[153]. Operating Expenses - Total operating expenses increased to 2,851 million in 2024, a 23.0% increase compared to 2,317millionin2023[372].Compensationandbenefitsexpenseroseto2,317 million in 2023[372]. - Compensation and benefits expense rose to 1,324 million in 2024, reflecting a 22.4% increase from 1,082millionin2023,drivenbyafullyearofAdenzaemployeecostsanda1,082 million in 2023, driven by a full year of Adenza employee costs and a 23 million pre-tax charge related to pension plan termination[372][373]. - Depreciation and amortization expense surged to 613millionin2024,an89.3613 million in 2024, an 89.3% increase from 323 million in 2023, mainly due to amortization of intangible assets from the Adenza acquisition[372][378]. - Marketing and advertising expenses increased to 54millionin2024,a16.454 million in 2024, a 16.4% rise from 47 million in 2023, attributed to higher client incentive spending due to increased IPO activity[372][377]. - Regulatory expenses increased to 55millionin2024,a60.855 million in 2024, a 60.8% increase from 34 million in 2023, primarily due to the settlement of a previously disclosed inquiry[372][378]. - Professional and contract services expense rose to 152millionin2024,an18.4152 million in 2024, an 18.4% increase from 128 million in 2023, driven by the inclusion of Adenza[372][374]. - Technology and communication infrastructure expenses increased to 281millionin2024,a20.9281 million in 2024, a 20.9% rise from 233 million in 2023, due to increased investment in cloud initiatives and software licensing[372][375]. - Occupancy expenses decreased to 112millionin2024,a12.9112 million in 2024, a 12.9% decline from 129 million in 2023, primarily due to impairment charges and exit costs from abandoned leased office space[372][376]. - Restructuring charges increased to 116millionin2024,a44.3116 million in 2024, a 44.3% increase from 80 million in 2023, reflecting ongoing strategic initiatives[372].