Press releases 2004

London Stock Exchange - Home to Europe’s Most Active IPO Market in 2004

20 December 2004

In 2004 the London Stock Exchange attracted a total of 275 IPOs to the Main Market and AIM, accounting for 80 per cent of all IPOs in Western Europe.  Both markets have performed strongly during the year, raising a total of £7.6 billion in new issues - an increase of 64 per cent on 2003.

A total of 65 companies joined the Main Market in 2004, of which 49 were IPOs, raising a total of £5 billion in new issues.  This year the Main Market enjoyed the highest number of IPOs and money raised in new issues since 2002.

AIM has had its most successful year since its launch in 1995, both in terms of total money raised and number of new issues.  333 companies joined AIM in 2004, 226 of which were IPOs, raising a total of £2.6 billion in new issues. 

2004 was a strong year for international companies joining both the Main Market and AIM.  10 international companies joined the Main Market and 53 joined AIM, a combined increase of 174 per cent on 2003.

Commenting on the year’s performance, Martin Graham, Director of Market Services, said:

“The number of new issues in 2004 clearly demonstrates the strength of London’s markets and highlights our position as home to the highest quality cash equity markets in Europe.  London remains the only global financial centre to offer a differentiated, yet complementary choice of established public equity markets.  With a healthy pipeline of companies expressing an interest in a London listing, we look forward to welcoming many more new companies to our markets in 2005.”

The following are key highlights:

Main Market
•  49 IPOs compared with 20 in 2003, 37 in 2002 and 61 in 2001
• £4.7 billion total money raised in IPOs, compared with £3.5 billion in 2003, £4.9 billion in 2002 and £9.1 billion in 2001
• techMARK, the international Main Market segment for innovative technology companies, celebrated its fifth anniversary in November

AIM
• 226 IPOs compared with 66 in 2003, 60 in 2002 and 94 in 2001
• £2.2 billion total money raised in IPOs, compared with £1.0 billion in 2003, £0.4 billion in 2002 and £0.4 billion in 2001
• During 2004 AIM attracted its 1000th company (December) and its 100th international company (October)

For further information, please contact:

Anya Velzeboer              Press Office  +44 (0)20 7797 1222
Richard Webster-Smith   newsroom@londonstockexchange.com

Notes to editors:

• These are provisional year end statistics. Full year-end statistics will be available with the publication of the January Monthly Market Report in the second week of January 2005.