RSS

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

Comments 

There are currently no comments on this article

Sign up and get...

  • Regular GrowthBusiness newsletters
  • Post comments on articles
Sign up

Hiscox Business Insurance 

Life’s full of uncertainties, but you never want to be in any doubt about your business insurance. Hiscox offers broad and inclusive business insurance available online. You can tailor a policy to suit your business needs from a broad range of covers. Find out more.

Advice and strategic insights for CEOs and entrepreneurs

Receive free weekly news, advice and strategic insight for CEOs and entrepreneurs growing their businesses. Find out more or sign up today.

Research

  • Directors' Pay AIM 2009

    What should an AIM company pay its CEO or FD?
    What should a non-executive director or chairman expect to be paid?
    What benchmarks should AIM remuneration committee members be using when
    setting pay?

VCT Special Report 2009

This reports principle aim is to provide business owners seeking funding with information about the amount of funds that VCTs have to invest.

Cash Shells Special Report 2009

A comprehensive overview of cash shells on AIM and PLUS, companies that have become a significant feature on the market landscape.

More

Events Calendar

The Media Magnate Awards 2009

26th March, Vinopolis, London

More

More News: Research News

Cash shells’ resources multiply

The amount of money in AIM- and PLUS-listed cash shells has increased 42 per cent on a year ago. The shells, which can offer companies a quick route to a public quote through a reverse takeover, had resources of £113.4 million at the end of June, according to research from growth company magazine Business XL.

Strong deal flow to continue in mid-market

Deals at the higher end of the market are harder to strike as the credit crunch causes banks to tighten up their lending policies, but this is leading to funding opportunities for companies in the lower to mid-market.

Small businesses fail to see brand value

Over a third of small businesses in the UK admit to having no brand values, according to a survey by Microsoft UK. In addition, 35 per cent of the small firms questioned failed to acknowledge the strategic impact of marketing on their business

Advertisement

Related articles

Institutions hold on to AIM stakes

Investment houses such as BlackRock, Invesco and Prudential collectively hold a larger share of AIM than they did before the financial crisis.

Institutions stick with AIM

Institutional investors hold a larger share in AIM than they did a year ago, despite rapidly falling valuations.

AIM to Main: why bother?

Only a handful of companies a year move from AIM to the Main Market of the London Stock Exchange. We look at the implications of such a move and whether there are any tangible benefits.

Cash Shells on AIM provides a comprehensive overview of cash shells on AIM, companies that have become a significant feature on the AIM landscape.

Poll

What should Alistair Darling deliver in the Budget?




Have your vote on current issues

People who read this also read

  • Why leaders make the difference

    I’m not a big bridge player, but I’ve always been fascinated by ‘duplicate bridge’.

  • Oxus in £5m placing

    Aim-listed gold prospector Oxus Mining has launched a £5 million placing and open offer at 10p a share to construct the first phase of its Amantaytau gold prospect in Uzbekistan, writes Robert Tyerman.

  • Bullish GDP data signals recovery

    Estimates of gross domestic product (GDP) for April and May suggest that the UK may be over the worst of the recession.

  • Showtime for Arena

    An event specialist that has provided services for Wimbledon, The Ryder Cup and the MTV Europe Awards has been bought by a team led by the company’s chief executive David Walley.

  • IDS jilts Ofex in favour of Aim

    Interactive Digital Solutions, a group that was intent on listing on Ofex, will now make its way to Aim following pressure from institutional backers. Leslie Copeland reports.