Nasdaq Inc. announced on March 7 that it's seeking permission from regulators to expand trading hours on the biggest stock exchange, the Nasdaq Stock Market. The exchange wants to launch 24-hour trading Monday through Friday.

Nasdaq Inc. on Friday announced the most ambitious plan yet by a major U.S. exchange operator to allow stocks to be traded around the clock.

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.