FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                            2001-135


          SEC GRANTS EXTENSION OF TIME ON NASDAQ’S
              EXCHANGE REGISTRATION APPLICATION


     Washington, DC, November 14, 2001 – The Securities and
Exchange Commission today announced that it has granted The
Nasdaq Stock Market’s request for an extension of time for
the Commission to act on Nasdaq’s application to register as
a stock exchange, which was due to expire on November 14,
2001.  Nasdaq requested an additional indefinite period of
time in order to address the issues raised by the staff and
in the 46 comment letters received to date.  Annette L.
Nazareth, Director of the Division of Market Regulation,
stated: “Substantial progress has been made on the Nasdaq
application.   We are working closely with Nasdaq and hope
to resolve the outstanding issues as expeditiously as
possible.”



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