Equity raising reaches all-time high

A total of £82.5 billion was raised through the issue of new shares on the London Stock Exchange this year.

This is an increase of 16 per cent compared to the total raised on the exchange in 2008, a statement revealed.

More than 60 new issues took place on the exchange this year, of which 18 were IPOs, despite economic conditions deteriorating at several points in the year.

Highlights included Tata Steel raising $500 million in July, the largest amount an Indian enterprise has raised in London.

Tracey Pierce, head of equity primary markets at the London Stock Exchange, said: "Our markets continued to support the capital raising needs of companies across the year, with a flow of secondary issues contributing to a record year of equity fundraising, providing firms with the backing they need to help them through testing market conditions."

Posted by Chris Barber

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