Capital Finance
London Stock Exchange - The London Stock
Exchange (LSE) is one of the world's leading equity exchanges and a
leading provider of services that facilitate the raising of capital
and the trading of shares. The LSE is the most international of all
stock exchanges, with more than 630 companies from over 56
countries admitted to trading on its markets. Statistics
are available on the LSE website
Alternative Investment Market (AIM) - AIM is the
London Stock Exchange's global market for smaller, growing
companies, primarily concerned with raising earlier stage
capital. It is operated, regulated and promoted by the LSE.
Since AIM opened in 1995, more than 2,300 companies have been
admitted. Collectively, these companies have raised more than
£16 billion ($28 billion) whilst on AIM.
Main Market - the Main Market is the London
Stock Exchange's senior, global market for more mature companies
that not only need to maximise their capital-raising efforts, but
also their international profile and liquidity in their shares.
Although operated and promoted by the LSE, the Main Market is
regulated by the Financial Services Authority. This separate
regulatory function is essential in encouraging investor
confidence. Only Main Market companies can access the FTSE UK
series of indices that includes the FTSE 100. There are over 1,600
companies admitted to the Main Market, with a total market value of
over £4,300 billion ($7,654 billion). In 2005 alone, Main Market
companies raised more than £20 billion ($36 billion) in
capital.
techMARK & techMARK mediscience - the
London Stock Exchange's community of Main Market companies that can
demonstrate an ongoing commitment to innovation through research
and development. techMARK companies include those more mature
companies that invest heavily in R&D and pioneer developments
in technology and healthcare. Only London offers this specific
focus on innovation. techMARK members have a separate series of
indices - the FTSE techMARK series. There are over 145 techMARK
companies with a total market value of £294 billion ($523
billion).