Money-raised by companies conducting international IPOs during 2007 reconfirms the London Stock Exchange’s position as the world’s most international equity market. During 2007, London’s markets attracted 86 international IPOs by companies from 22 countries (excluding the UK). Between them they raised £14.5 billion. This was more than double the £7.0 billion worth of offerings by the 33 non-US companies which conducted IPOs on NYSE during the same period, and more than the £9.0 billion worth of international IPOs on NYSE and Nasdaq combined.

Overall, companies across the Exchange’s markets raised £43.8 billion in new and further issues during the year. This included 252 IPOs on the Main Market, Professional Securities Market and AIM which raised £26.1 billion in total. An additional £17.5 billion was raised through further issues, including a record £8.6 billion in further issues on AIM.

Martin Graham, Director of Markets at the London Stock Exchange, said: “While the second half of 2007 was not without its challenges for companies considering IPOs, the fundraising on our primary markets remained strong for the year as a whole, and we have continued to be the most successful major exchange for fundraising by international companies. We have been struck by the potential of regions where we have recently started to market our offering more actively, with companies based in markets as diverse as Vietnam, Bahrain and Argentina all choosing London for their IPOs this year.

“AIM has also had another excellent year: the ability of existing AIM companies to raise record amounts in further issues, together with the growth in average money raised at IPO, reflects the market’s growing maturity and the long-term institutional investment that is available.”

Main Market and Professional Securities Market Highlights

* There were 80 IPOs on the Main Market and Professional Securities Market, raising £20.1 billion between them.

* There were 32 international IPOs on the Main Market and Professional Securities Market during the year, raising a record £12.3 billion.

* Grupo Clarin conducted the largest Argentine float for a decade, raising £229.6 million through issuing Global Depository Receipts on the Main Market in October.

* The Main Market welcomed its first company based in Vietnam: in March Indochina Capital Vietnam Holdings Limited raised £256.1 million on its admission.

* Gulf Finance House BSC, was the second company from Bahrain to join the Exchange’s markets; its GDR issue in July raised £138.1 million.

* The Local Shopping REIT joined the Main Market in May, becoming the first new UK specialist start-up Real Estate Investment Trust since the start of the UK REIT tax regime in 2007. It raised £160.0 million.

AIM Highlights

* 172 companies, including 54 international companies, conducted IPOs on AIM during 2007, raising £6.0 billion in total.

* There were 11 IPOs by companies based in China, raising £927.0 million between them.

* During 2007, AIM attracted 19 IPOs by companies based in the USA, raising £561.5 million between them.

* In addition, AIM welcomed IPOs by 8 companies based in India, 14 companies based in Western Europe, 6 companies based in Canada, 3 companies based in Latin America, and one company based in Vietnam.

* By the end of 2007, a record 340 international companies were quoted on AIM.

* AIM Companies raised a record £8.6 billion through further issues in 2007; 51 per cent more than during 2006 and more than three times the 2005 total.

* A record 11 companies transferred from AIM to the Main Market; more than in the previous four years combined.