Press releases 2005

Joint News Release 28 April 2005

NEW FTSE AIM INDEX SERIES LAUNCHING IN MAY 2005

FTSE Group, the index company, and the London Stock Exchange today announced plans to introduce a series of new indices for AIM, the Exchange’s international market for smaller, growing companies.  The FTSE AIM Index Series will go live on 16 May 2005 and will comprise three new indices: the FTSE AIM UK 50 Index, the FTSE AIM 100 Index, and the FTSE AIM All-Share Index.

The new FTSE AIM Index Series has been designed and constructed following a wide-ranging market consultation carried out by FTSE Group and the London Stock Exchange.  The index series will offer investors new opportunities to invest in, and track the performance of AIM, the world’s most successful growth market. 

The FTSE AIM UK 50 Index and the FTSE AIM 100 Index will both be liquid, tradeable indices that can be used as the basis for index-related investment products, such as Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs).  The FTSE AIM UK 50 Index will consist of the 50 largest eligible UK domiciled stocks quoted on AIM by market capitalisation; and the FTSE AIM 100 Index will comprise the 100 largest eligible stocks quoted on AIM, whether UK domiciled or international.

The FTSE AIM All-Share Index is a revision of the existing FTSE AIM Index, updated to meet the needs of today’s investors.  The FTSE AIM All-Share Index will consist of all companies quoted on AIM that meet the liquidity and free float requirements, and will provide an accurate benchmark for investors in the broader AIM market.

Paul Grimes, Chief Operating Officer, FTSE Group, said:

“Investors in the AIM market have expressed a need for a more accurate measure of the market.  The new FTSE AIM Index Series will allow investors to identify and access the key performance drivers of AIM for the first time.  The index series should enhance the liquidity of AIM, by increasing the transparency and profile of the market and gives investors the tools for a whole range of investment vehicles.”

Martin Graham, Head of AIM at the London Stock Exchange, said:

“The introduction of the FTSE AIM Index Series is a significant step in the emergence of AIM as the world’s most successful growth market and underlines the London Stock Exchange’s commitment to its expansion.  By working with FTSE to provide a choice of benchmark and tradeable indices, we should see an expanded range of investment opportunities for investors as well an increase in the liquidity of AIM companies.”

Calculation of the FTSE AIM Index Series will begin on Monday 16 May 2005.  Full index constituents, factsheet and ground rules are available at www.ftse.com/aim

For further information, please contact:

FTSE Group: Nicky Gardner/Jo Mayall +44 (0)20 7448 1821 media@ftse.com

London Stock Exchange: Richard Webster-Smith +44 (0)20 7797 1222 pressoffice@londonstockexchange.com