Governor Greg Abbott took part in a virtual closing bell ceremony with Nasdaq to mark the 190th anniversary of the Battle of the Alamo and highlight Texas’ economic position. The event underscored Texas’ role as a leader in finance and capital markets.
“Texas now ranks number one for having more employees working in the financial sector than any other state in the entire country, and Texas ranks number one for capital investment, number one for capitalism itself, and hence, it’s only right that Texas is ranked number one for the capital markets that drive capitalism and the entire economic system,” said Governor Abbott. “We are proud that Nasdaq does business and has a location here in the great state of Texas. Texas will lead the way in protecting capitalism and all that it can achieve in the United States of America.”
Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick, Nasdaq Chair and CEO Adena Friedman, Nasdaq Texas head Rachel Racz, and several Texas business leaders also joined the ceremony.
Nasdaq recently launched its own financial exchange in Texas, known as Nasdaq Texas. This dual listing venue aims to expand services throughout the state and increase investment opportunities for U.S. investors. During the event, Governor Abbott noted that Nasdaq is now fully operational in Texas and prepared to serve companies statewide. He stated this move reflects a partnership between Nasdaq and Texas intended to support a free-market environment.
The Office of Texas Governor Greg Abbott has played a key role in supporting job growth across the state, leading to record employment levels (official website). Under Governor Abbott’s leadership since his election in 2014 (official website), more than 325 corporate headquarters have relocated to Texas, which is home to 54 Fortune 500 companies. With its financial services workforce now larger than New York’s, Texas stands as the eighth largest economy globally.
Governor Abbott previously participated in events marking milestones with Nasdaq, including last March at a luncheon announcing their new regional headquarters in Dallas and during a virtual closing bell ceremony celebrating economic achievements with Nasdaq, Inc., in 2023.
The Office of Texas Governor Greg Abbott operates out of Austin at the State Insurance Building (official website) and delivers services statewide (official website). The office has also been recognized nationally; Greg Abbott was named among TIME’s 100 Most Influential People in 2024 (official website). Focus areas include job creation, education enhancement, individual liberties protection, parental empowerment in schooling, southern border security, and expanding economic opportunities (official website).
Additional photos from today’s ceremony are expected to be released soon.
