SECURITIES

Nasdaq Antitrust Suit Names 9 More Firms: The main private class-action lawsuit accusing Nasdaq market makers of conspiring to fix stock prices named nine more brokerage firms as defendants, bringing the total to 33. In addition, Louisiana became the first state to join as a plaintiff in the antitrust suit, originally filed on behalf of private investors, according to an amended complaint filed in federal court in New York on Friday. The new defendants are Donaldson Lufkin & Jenrette; Hambrecht & Quist; Kemper Securities; Montgomery Securities, Oppenheimer & Co.; Piper Jaffray & Hopwood Inc.; Robertson Stephens & Co.; Robinson-Humphrey, and Weeden & Co. In general, market makers have strongly denied the allegations.