In a bid to attract more IPO activity, the New York Stock Exchange has basically eliminated its listing fee. Previously, companies paid up to $250,000 to list. Some think the move is quite aggressive. But I maintain it is more symbolic in nature. Let's face it: The NYSE and the Nasdaq have a lot of challenges in the IPO market. By most measures, they have lost ground this year. But it will take a lot more than the elimination of a listing fee. I think it will basically take some severe fee reduction at the underwriter level. While the top banks may recoil from this, it would be a much more significant move. Whether that will happen is another question. Another move: I would market heavily the aftermarket liquidity advantages that U.S. markets afford.

For more:
- here's a brief at Financial News
- see other recent NYSE moves here