New segment designed to raise investor visibility and prepare companies for a Main Market listing Helsinki, May 11, 2020 - Nasdaq (Nasdaq: NDAQ) announces that Nasdaq Helsinki launches a new Premier segment on the Nasdaq First North Growth Market Finland today. The new segment was first introduced in Sweden in 2009 and supports companies who seek to enhance investor visibility by complying with higher standards than imposed under the regular Nasdaq First North Growth Market rules. Nasdaq First North Premier Growth Market Finland is designed to attract entrepreneurs and fast growing companies, and a number of listing requirements are aligned with those of the Main Market. Specifically, companies on the Premier segment need to apply the IFRS standard in their accounting and financial reporting. In addition, companies should have a free float of 25 percent and apply the Corporate Governance Code. "Nasdaq First North Growth Market Finland has grown remarkably during the past few years and we have now 33 companies admitted to trading", says Henrik Husman, President of Nasdaq Helsinki. "By introducing the Premier segment, we want to offer companies an opportunity for increased investor visibility in their shares, while preparing them for a potential Main Market listing." "For more than ten years, Nasdaq First North Premier Growth Market has served as an important platform for growth, enabling Nordic and international entrepreneurs to access capital to develop and expand their businesses," said Adam Kostyál, SVP and Head of European listings of Nasdaq. "Currently, more than 50 companies are listed on the Premier segment in Sweden. With the positive development of the Nasdaq First North Growth Market in Finland, we see that the Finnish market is ready for the launch of the Premier segment. This is also a great opportunity for companies that are preparing for the next step -- data from our Swedish market shows that 39 companies in the Premier segment have switched to the Main Market since the introduction of the segment." Further information on the Nasdaq First North Premier Growth Market can be found here. About Nasdaq First North Growth Market Nasdaq First North Growth Market is a registered SME growth market, as defined by the Directive on Markets in Financial Instruments (EU 2014/65). It does not have the legal status as an EU-regulated market. Companies at Nasdaq First North Growth Market are subject to the rules of Nasdaq First North Growth Market and not the legal requirements for admission to trading on a regulated market, such as the Nasdaq Nordic Main Market. The risk in such an investment may be higher than on the Main Market. The Premier segment within Nasdaq First North Growth Market is designed to further assist companies in raising investor visibility and to prepare them for a Main Market listing. The Premier segment targets companies that make a conscious decision to comply with higher disclosure and accounting standards than imposed under the Nasdaq First North Growth Market rules. About Nasdaq Nasdaq (Nasdaq: NDAQ) is a global technology company serving the capital markets and other industries. Our diverse offering of data, analytics, software and services enables clients to optimize and execute their business vision with confidence. To learn more about the company, technology solutions and career opportunities, visit us on LinkedIn, on Twitter @Nasdaq, or at www.nasdaq.com. Nasdaq Copenhagen, Nasdaq Helsinki, Nasdaq Iceland, Nasdaq Riga, Nasdaq Stockholm, Nasdaq Tallinn, Nasdaq Vilnius, Nasdaq Clearing and Nasdaq Broker Services are respectively brand names for the regulated markets of Nasdaq Copenhagen A/S, Nasdaq Helsinki Ltd., Nasdaq Iceland hf., Nasdaq Riga, AS, Nasdaq Stockholm AB, Nasdaq Tallinn AS, AB Nasdaq Vilnius, Nasdaq Clearing AB and Nasdaq Broker Services AB. Nasdaq Nordic represents the common offering by Nasdaq Copenhagen, Nasdaq Helsinki, Nasdaq Iceland and Nasdaq Stockholm. Nasdaq Baltic represents the common offering by Nasdaq Tallinn, Nasdaq Riga and Nasdaq Vilnius 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. FOR MEDIA RELATIONS: Maarit Bystedt tel. +358 (0)9 6166 7274 maarit.bystedt@nasdaq.com
© 2020 GlobeNewswire
