Nasdaq (Nasdaq:NDAQ) today announced the results of the annual re-ranking of the NASDAQ-100 Index (Nasdaq:NDX), which will become effective prior to market open on Monday, December 21, 2015.
The following seven companies will be added to the Index: Ctrip.com International, Ltd. (Nasdaq:CTRP), Endo International plc (Nasdaq:ENDP), Expedia, Inc. (Nasdaq:EXPE), Maxim Integrated Products, Inc. (Nasdaq:MXIM), Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. (Nasdaq:NCLH), T-Mobile US, Inc. (Nasdaq:TMUS) and Ulta Salon, Cosmetics & Fragrance, Inc. (Nasdaq:ULTA).
The NASDAQ-100 Index is composed of the 100 largest non-financial companies listed on The Nasdaq Stock Market® and dates to January 1985 when it was launched along with the NASDAQ Financial-100 Index®, which is comprised of the 100 largest financial stocks on Nasdaq®. These indexes act as benchmarks for financial products such as options, futures, and funds. The NASDAQ-100 is re-ranked each year in December, timed to coincide with the quadruple witch expiration Friday of the quarter.
On a cumulative price return basis, the NASDAQ-100 Index has returned almost 3,245% since inception, although past performance is not indicative of future performance.
The NASDAQ-100 Index is the basis of the PowerShares QQQ Trust (Nasdaq:QQQ) which aims to provide investment results that, before expenses, correspond with the NASDAQ-100 Index performance. In addition, options, futures and structured products based on the NASDAQ-100 Index and the PowerShares QQQ Trust trade on various exchanges.
As a result of the re-ranking, the following seven companies will be removed from the Index: C.H. Robinson Worldwide, Inc. (Nasdaq:CHRW), Expeditors International of Washington, Inc. (Nasdaq:EXPD), Keurig Green Mountain, Inc. (Nasdaq:GMCR), Garmin Ltd. (Nasdaq:GRMN), Staples, Inc. (Nasdaq:SPLS), VimpelCom Ltd. (Nasdaq:VIP) and Wynn Resorts, Limited (Nasdaq:WYNN).
In addition, the following two securities will also be removed to the index: LiLAC Class A Ordinary Shares (Nasdaq:LILA) and LiLAC Class C Ordinary Shares (Nasdaq:LILAK).