The last 12 months have proved a record year for secondary issues on AIM according to research from KPMG Corporate Finance.
AIM has raised a total of £1.1 billion in secondary issues for the first ten months of 2004 - the highest level of since its inception in 1995. The market also enjoyed a record year for IPOs with 179 new companies raising a total of £1.9 billion.
The total number of AIM companies stood at 958, 100 of which are international, as of the end of October an increase of 32.7% over the previous 12 months. It is projected that AIM will welcome its 1,000 entrant to the market early next year. Growth is also reflected in the total market capitalisation, which increased by 8.6% in October and rose 77.8% over the previous 12 months.
David Simpson, head of the Quoted Company Team at KPMG Corporate Finance comments: ?AIM has truly come of age this year. Its popularity as a platform for domestic and international companies coming to market and raising funds for future expansion is evident. Corporates are discovering the flexibility afforded by a more relaxed regulatory environment.