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(Alliance News) - London's capital markets were number one in Europe, slotting in third place worldwide behind US and China, as new listings raised a combined GBP16.8 billion, London Stock Exchange Group PLC said on Wednesday.
The stock exchange operator said more capital was raised in London than in Paris and Amsterdam combined. The total capital raised in London in 2021 amounted to GBP49.2 billion, GBP32.4 billion from fundraises by existing listings and GBP16.8 billion in the form of IPOs.
"122 companies listed on the London Stock Exchange this year raising over GBP16.8 billion. LSE has raised more capital for IPOs than any year since 2007 and is by a significant margin the number one exchange in Europe," LSEG said.
Tech firms, popular with investors during the pandemic era, also turned to the London market. Among those listing on the London Stock Exchange this year were Oxford Nanopore Technologies PLC and Wise PLC. Wise, the largest tech company by market capitalisation to ever list in London, floated through a more unconventional direct listing.
LSEG added that 39% of IPO capital raised came from the tech or consumer internet sector.
The junior AIM market also had its biggest year for capital raising since 2007. Valued at GBP850.0 million on admission, Victorian Plumbing Group PLC was the largest AIM float of the year by market capitalisation.
LSEG added: "2021 overall has been a strong first year for the LSEG Capital Markets division. Total FX volumes hit a new daily record of over USD680 billion, including FXall and Matching."
By Eric Cunha; ericcunha@alliancenews.com
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