Exchange aims to tighten rules around sub-$1 stocks amid criticism

  • Nasdaq is taking steps to purge dubious penny stocks from its platform
  • Proposed rule changes aim to accelerate delisting of companies with shares trading below $1 each
  • Bit Brother, a Chinese blockchain company, became an embarrassment for Nasdaq in 2020 due to reverse stock splits
  • Virtu Financial urged SEC to limit excessive reverse stock splits and force quicker delistings
  • Current rules allow companies to avoid delisting through multiple grace periods
  • Proposed changes would cap time for sub-$1 stocks on Nasdaq at around a year
  • New rule change speeds up delisting process for recently reverse-split companies
  • Both changes need SEC approval to take effect

Nasdaq is proposing rule changes to combat the proliferation of penny stocks on its platform, following criticism for allowing risky companies with shares trading below $1 each. The exchange has become home to hundreds of such companies due to reverse stock splits. Proposed changes would cap the time sub-$1 stocks can remain listed at around a year and speed up delistings for recently reverse-split companies.

Factuality Level: 8
Factuality Justification: The article provides accurate and objective information about Nasdaq’s proposed rule changes to address concerns regarding penny stocks trading below $1 per share. It discusses the current delisting process and the potential impact of the new rules on companies that engage in reverse stock splits. The article also includes relevant examples and statistics to support its claims.
Noise Level: 6
Noise Justification: The article provides relevant information about Nasdaq’s proposed rule changes to address concerns over penny stocks trading below $1 per share and discusses the impact on investors. However, it includes some repetitive information and could benefit from more in-depth analysis of the long-term implications of these changes.
Public Companies: Nasdaq (NDAQ), Virtu Financial ()
Private Companies: Bit Brother
Key People:


Financial Relevance: Yes
Financial Markets Impacted: Nasdaq and penny stocks
Financial Rating Justification: The article discusses Nasdaq’s proposed rule changes to delist companies trading below $1 per share, which could impact the exchange and penny stock companies listed on it. This has financial relevance as it pertains to the operations of a major stock exchange and the companies that trade on it.
Presence Of Extreme Event: No
Nature Of Extreme Event: No
Impact Rating Of The Extreme Event: Minor
Extreme Rating Justification: There is no extreme event mentioned in the text.
Move Size: No market move size mentioned.
Sector: Technology
Direction: Up
Magnitude: Medium
Affected Instruments: Stocks

Reported publicly: www.wsj.com