Q: What is the purpose of modifying the liquidity and seasoning requirements? Could this change result in the inclusion
of illiquid securities in the index?
A: Most indexes require a liquidity threshold for new constituents, often as a minimum share count or average daily trading value.
For the Nasdaq-100®, securities must have a three-month average daily traded value of at least $5 million. Since only very large
companies – typically with full market capitalizations over $100 billion as of March 2026 – would have qualified for fast entry, they
are expected to easily and quickly meet this requirement. However, an average daily traded value of at least $5 million from the
time of listing will still be required for fast entry candidates.
Many indexes have included seasoning requirements to ensure that traditional IPOs undergo price discovery and stabilization
before being included. These requirements were originally intended to prevent small or little-known companies from entering too
soon. However, there is now a trend toward IPOs being larger and more mature than in the past. Companies expected to meet the
fast entry threshold are likely to be among the world’s most significant and well-known firms. High investor interest and trading
volumes should accelerate price discovery, further supporting a shorter seasoning period. Note that the seasoning period for
companies outside of the Top 40 remains at three months.
Several indexes have changed not just Nasdaq, but it’s one more people have heard about.
Sure but it’s not the only one. Add in SPY, QQQ, and IWM Force Index Funds and the percentage of Americans buying SpaceX early due to rule changes looks bad.
For others like qqq it has no bearing to be frank. It follows the nasdaq 100. Maybe an argument that the extra few months would have allowed more price discovery but I am not so sure.
float adjustment results in any CRSP tracking fund/etf having a $10,000 investment being approximately $17 worth of SpaceX. This isn't a real problem the media is trying to push it as.
https://indexes.nasdaqomx.com/docs/2026_May_NDX_Changes_FAQ....
Q: What is the purpose of modifying the liquidity and seasoning requirements? Could this change result in the inclusion of illiquid securities in the index?
A: Most indexes require a liquidity threshold for new constituents, often as a minimum share count or average daily trading value. For the Nasdaq-100®, securities must have a three-month average daily traded value of at least $5 million. Since only very large companies – typically with full market capitalizations over $100 billion as of March 2026 – would have qualified for fast entry, they are expected to easily and quickly meet this requirement. However, an average daily traded value of at least $5 million from the time of listing will still be required for fast entry candidates. Many indexes have included seasoning requirements to ensure that traditional IPOs undergo price discovery and stabilization before being included. These requirements were originally intended to prevent small or little-known companies from entering too soon. However, there is now a trend toward IPOs being larger and more mature than in the past. Companies expected to meet the fast entry threshold are likely to be among the world’s most significant and well-known firms. High investor interest and trading volumes should accelerate price discovery, further supporting a shorter seasoning period. Note that the seasoning period for companies outside of the Top 40 remains at three months.
Several indexes have changed not just Nasdaq, but it’s one more people have heard about.