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AIM comes of age

Article Date:  Aug 01 2004

AIM has come of age and is no longer a stepping stone to a full London Stock Exchange listing, according to findings from accountant Baker Tilly. Its hot-off-the-press ‘Taking AIM 2004’ survey, taking views from companies and experts, has found companies are staying on AIM for longer, enticed by its tax breaks, lack of red tape, and its growing profile as a major market in its own right.

One quarter of companies, when asked which factors drove their decision to opt for AIM, said they wanted to raise their profile. When established ventures were asked what AIM had done for them, 78 per cent said it had boosted credibility, while 75 per cent reported an improved city profile.

‘AIM has shed its image as the main market's little brother and is now recognised with prestige world wide’ says Chilton Taylor, Baker Tilly's corporate finance partner and head of capital markets.

Another intriguing finding is that companies are looking to AIM for reasons aside from raising cash. As well as giving credibility, AIM status is a great way to motivate, as it pleases staff and shareholders.

Still, raising cash remains a huge draw and AIM continues to deliver on that front. No fewer than 74 per cent of companies quizzed raked in money in line with expectations, up from 61 per cent last year.

1/8/04

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