A bumper start to 2013 in the global market for new equity issues has seen funds raised through initial public offerings jump by 50 per cent so far, marking a shift in investor sentiment.
Around $23bn worth of fresh equity has been raised in IPOs this year, up from $15bn in the same period last year, according to data from Dealogic.
John Holland, Managing Director of Flotation Consultants, Holland Bendelow says that ''sentiment on the London Stock Markets has also been bolstered by the recent flotation's of Countrywide plc. and Esure plc. . Recently UK stock market flotation's on AIM and The Main Market have also been boosted by the return of an increase in US money to the Eurozone''.
He says his firm have noticed a ''marked increase in new inquires from smaller growing companies looking to raise money on the London Stock Markets, and in particular AIM''
The London Stock Exchanges AIM Stock Market, has played its part with another major fundraising this week when Graphene NanoChem announced the successful completion of a placing raising £32.5m before expenses, and the reverse takeover of Platinum NanoChem. The proceeds of the AIM fundraising will go towards increasing the capacity of its existing plant, funding advances in technology and an increase the size and breadth of its intellectual property portfolio.
Biofutures is the parent company of Zurex Corporation, a company incorporated in Malaysia. Zurex owns and operates a 200,000 metric tones per annum palm oil refinery in Malaysia, and has a licence to manufacture biodiesel from palm oil.
Zurex's refinery is located on a 14 acre plot of land in Sabah, Malaysia. Biofutures was admitted to trading on the AIM stock market back in 2006. In December 2012, the Company announced that it had entered into a conditional agreement to acquire Platinum NanoChem Sdn. Bhd. ("Platinum NanoChem") which constitutes a reverse takeover under Rule 14 of the AIM Rules. Following Admission to AIM, the merger of Biofutures and Platinum results in an enlarged integrated business. The enlarged group is now named Graphene NanoChem Plc.
Platinum was a privately held global nanotechnology company whose business model is to design, formulate, manufacture and market a range of specialty chemicals and advanced materials (including products enhanced by a range of graphitic nanomaterials ("Graphene") which Platinum produces) that demonstrate improved performance characteristics when compared to existing products within the chemicals and materials markets. It has a revenue-generating range of high quality chemical products derived from readily available low-cost wastes from the palm oil industry, alongside an active commercialisation strategy for niche opportunities within the global market for Graphene applications. Its existing portfolio and pipeline of products are based on two core nanotechnology platforms which are protected by a network of patent families, licences and specialist knowledge.
About Holland Bendelow
As the UK's leading flotation consultancy, Holland Bendelow brings with it a wealth of knowledge in this specialised industry. With more than 20 years of experience in the sector and almost a decade in advising companies on stock market flotation, the team at Holland Bendelow are certain that their level of service and unique knowledge will ensure that their customers come away with the very best advice and support in a professional, confidential and jargon free manor, putting their particular needs at the centre of every assignment.
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