March 7 (Reuters) - Nasdaq plans to introduce 24-hour trading on its flagship

New York exchange to capitalize on growing global demand for U.S. equities, a senior executive

said in a social media post on Friday.

International demand for the lucrative U.S. equity market has surged in recent years, driven

by rising retail participation, increasing financial literacy, and easier access to digital

trading platforms.

The exchange operator has started discussions with regulators and expects to launch in the

second half of 2026, Nasdaq President Tal Cohen wrote in a LinkedIn post.

The appeal of the U.S. financial markets - backed by depth, liquidity, and a robust

regulatory framework - has prompted exchanges and financial firms to seek new methods to expand

access, particularly by extending trading hours.

A round-the-clock trading model will allow exchanges to tap into global demand - which is

currently catered to by alternative trading platforms - by attracting investors across time

zones, increasing trading volumes, and improving market liquidity.

"The global growth of investor demand for U.S. equities means we stand at another pivotal

moment for our markets - to broaden investor access, expand wealth-building opportunities, and

redefine how markets function," Cohen said.

Nasdaq joins rival exchanges like Cboe Global Markets ( CBOE ) and Intercontinental Exchange ( ICE )

, the operator of the New York Stock Exchange, in planning extended trading hours.

In February,

Cboe announced its intention to expand U.S. equities trading

to a 24-hour, five-days-a-week format, while ICE is currently seeking regulatory approval

to extend its trading hours as well.

The company did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment on whether it

has filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission for approvals.

Brokerages Charles Schwab ( SCHW ) and retail investor favorite Robinhood

currently offer limited 24-hour trading on their platforms.