Nasdaq to Acquire Marketwired

Acquisition expected to significantly enhance Nasdaq’s corporate services and product suite with Marketwired’s media analytics and targeting capabilities

Expected to be accretive to Nasdaq’s earnings within twelve months of closing and generate attractive returns on capital 

NEW YORK, Feb. 12, 2016 --  Nasdaq, Inc. (Nasdaq:NDAQ) today announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Marketwired, a leading global provider of news distribution services and analytics for communications professionals. Marketwired services over 8,500 clients, including Forbes 2000 companies, private corporations and public relations agencies. The acquisition is expected to further bolster Nasdaq's position as a leading, global corporate services provider. Subject to customary conditions, the deal will be funded through a mix of debt and cash on hand and is expected to close in the first quarter of 2016.

Nasdaq’s corporate services clients will benefit from an enhanced experience by gaining access to Marketwired’s market-leading social media targeting tools and analytics.  As the media landscape continues to expand globally, including tremendous growth of social media channels, the combined organization will be a leader in global distribution of news releases through Nasdaq’s world-class GlobeNewswire distribution capabilities and work-flow platform, as well as Marketwired’s leading offering of social media targeting and monitoring services.

“This transaction is a testament to our commitment to growing this business and delivering the most innovative communications tools and intelligence to our Corporate Solutions clients across the investor relations and public relations solutions suite,” said Adena Friedman, President and Chief Operating Officer, Nasdaq. “As our clients’ needs continue to expand, we will be well-positioned to offer new tools, content, and services to meet their evolving IR and PR challenges and opportunities.” 

The acquisition is expected to be accretive to Nasdaq’s non-GAAP earnings within twelve months of closing and should have no material impact on Nasdaq's financial leverage or capital return strategy.

“There is a natural fit between the two organizations in terms of our long-term strategy and shared values based around innovation and customer centricity,” said Adnan Ahmed, President and CEO, Marketwired. “We are excited about the benefits this combination will provide to Marketwired clients through a broader global distribution network, a comprehensive end-to-end workflow solution, and improved customer service.”

“This is a major opportunity for our Corporate Solutions business to enhance its end-to-end portfolio of services for communication professionals—including news distribution, media research, social media and analytics,” said Stacie Swanstrom, Senior Vice President and Head of Corporate Solutions, Nasdaq. “We will also make use of existing resources—including an expanded presence in North America, particularly Canada—to provide an even stronger service and account management experience for our clients.”

About Nasdaq

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 3,700 listed companies with a market value of approximately $9.6 trillion and nearly 10,000 corporate clients.  To learn more, visit: nasdaq.com/ambition or business.nasdaq.com.

About Marketwired

Marketwired is a communications leader and partner of choice for marketing, public relations and investor relations professionals worldwide seeking premier news distribution and social communication solutions. For more than 30 years, the company has played a pivotal role in connecting newsmakers to news consumers by sharing market-moving, direct-from-source information on behalf of companies worldwide. The Marketwired team partners with thousands of customers to help them discover better ways to create and share their news with the people who influence their brands and impact their business. Visit:  www.marketwired.com.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
The matters described herein contain forward-looking statements that are made under the Safe Harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements include, but are not limited to, statements about Nasdaq and its products and offerings. We caution that these statements are not guarantees of future performance. Actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve a number of risks, uncertainties or other factors beyond Nasdaq's control. These factors include, but are not limited to factors detailed in Nasdaq's annual report on Form 10-K, and periodic reports filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. We undertake no obligation to release any revisions to any forward-looking statements.

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