The Nasdaq Stock Market Inc. is reclassifying its equity listings according to the FTSE Global Classification System.

Working with global index provider FTSE Group, each of its nearly 3,400 listed companies company will be analyzed and reclassified according to the FTSE system. This move will enable easier analysis of Nasdaq stocks by investors worldwide, and will simplify sector analysis.

Comprising 10 economic groups, 36 industrial sectors and 102 subsectors, the FTSE Global Classification System is used as a tool to create a structure for sector analysis and investment globally. It is already used by the Athens, Cyprus, Egypt, Euronext, London and Madrid Stock Exchanges, the JSE Securities Exchange in South Africa, as well as Goldman Sachs, Hang Seng, HSBC, ING Barings, Merrill Lynch, Reuters and US-based investment consultants Frank Russell.

By adopting the FTSE Classification System, we align our stocks to the same classification guide as investors here and abroad. This is a positive step for our companies, our market makers and investors everywhere,” said John Jacobs, executive VP, worldwide marketing and financial products.