Nasdaq Proposes to Allow Primary Direct Floor Listings
Commentary by Steven Lofchie
Nasdaq proposed a rule change to provide alternative means - a primary direct listing - for exchange-listed companies to raise equity.
Specifically, Nasdaq proposed to allow companies "to list in connection with a primary offering in which the company will sell shares itself in the opening auction on the first day of trading on Nasdaq and to explain how the opening transaction for such a listing will be effected." The rule proposal is similar to one that the SEC recently approved for the NYSE (see previous coverage). Nasdaq asked the SEC to approve its rule change immediately without waiting for public comment.
Commentary
The NYSE rule proposal was approved by a 3-2 vote with SEC Chair Clayton in the majority and both Democratic Commissioners voting no. Chair Clayton has now resigned. What might that do to the Nasdaq proposal?