New Global growth markets guide published by Grant Thornton International

The most successful growth markets are raising more funds than some of their main market rivals and are progressing towards becoming international exchanges according to the new Global Growth Markets Guide, published today by Grant Thornton International.

Some of the developments experienced by these markets include an overall upward trend in liquidity, general appreciation and the beginnings of cross-border consolidation between markets. The alliances of growth markets provide clients with the ability to trade in different time zones, but the real benefits will only become apparent when companies and investors feels as comfortable using a foreign exchange as a domestic exchange.

Key performance details from the guide include:

• AIM has become the market of choice for growth companies, attracting more listings in 2006 than all of the other leading world markets combined.
• AIM and the TSX Venture Exchange have recorded market capitalisation increases of around 80%
• AIM was the most successful growth market for fundraising during 2006. It accounted for around half of the total across all markets.
• The TSX-V, SESDAQ and GEM have experienced share trading increases (measured by value) of 126%, 104% and 96% respectively.

"In the past only the main markets could offer a home for foreign companies looking to list their shares abroad. But now we're starting to see the growth markets offer a more attractive alternative, with more visibility, lower costs and more funds available for investment in some cases," said Philip Secrett, International Director of Capital Markets.

The guide is based on research that analysed the merits of the 41 stock markets competing to list growth company stocks. It also s the top 48 largest main markets based on their 2006 performance. The growth markets analysed are those which have been in existence for at least four years, have more than 150 companies listed and a market capitalisation in excess of US$2billion.

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Jess Koslow
Senior PR executive
Grant Thornton International
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M +44 (0)7989 358 864

Notes to editors

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