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This firm offers an indication of how AIM stocks can post rapid increases in value and provides its shareholders with a way to tap into the booming green energy market. The largest company on the AIM is Greencoat Renewables, which might not be as instantly recognisable but has grown to have a market capitalisation of £1.15bn. There are household names such as YouGov and Fevertree Drinks PLC available to trade.
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The varied range of stocks in the AIM market is part of its appeal. It now has around 821 companies listed and a total valuation running into tens of billions of pounds. The launch of the AIM saw 10 companies listed with a combined valuation of approximately £82m. AIM-listed stocks are not required to meet these conditions and, as a result, are seen as riskier investments. To achieve a ‘full listing’ on the LSE, a firm must have existed for at least three years, and a minimum of 25% of its share capital must be free-floating. This is because complying with all of the top-tier requirements is a considerable cost burden for smaller firms, so a light-touch compromise has been achieved.
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However, regulation and listing procedures are less stringent than they are for stocks such as the blue chips in the FTSE 100.
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The AIM enables small and medium-sized companies to raise capital via a listing on a public exchange, which, in turn, helps them to grow at a faster pace. The AIM, or ‘alternative investment market’, is a sub-market of the London Stock Exchange ( LSE) that was launched in June 1995. What to Consider Before Investing in AIM Shares.
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