The future of Nasdaq?

The Nasdaq has taken some lumps as of late, many of them regarding its failed attempt to buy the London Stock Exchange, even as the NYSE finalized its deal with Euronext. So the pressure is really on Robert Greifeld, the CEO of Nasdaq, who spoke at the Fox-Pitt Kelton conference on exchanges. The next big growth wave might come from its so-called Portal service, a planned trading venue for private placements. The service is currently wending its way through the regulatory quagmire, but Greifeld hopes to have it up by July. We've noted that private placements are hot, one of those largely uncovered stories. Beyond that, the Nasdaq will also launch a service that matches companies with directors. Perhaps most importantly, options loom as a growth opportunity, though the competition will be intense. The NYSE faces the same pressure. Will it bid for ICE?

For more:
- here's an AP update