Guernsey has more non-UK entities listed on the London Stock Exchange (LSE) than any other jurisdiction, according to new figures from the market authority.
The LSE data stated that, as of the end of December 2014, there was a total of 122 Guernsey-incorporated entities listed across the main market, the alternative investment market, and the special funds market.
This is significantly larger than any other global jurisdiction; the second largest figure was for Jersey, with 92 entities, followed by the Isle of Man with 54, Ireland with 53 and Cayman with 50.
Dominic Wheatley, CEO of Guernsey Finance, said: “During 2014 Guernsey not only became home to more new non-UK listings than any other jurisdiction but there were also some particularly notable listings across all three markets of the LSE.”
“Guernsey listings on the main market included two renewable energy funds; the Island provided the largest listing of the year on the alternative investment market; and our listings on the specialist fund market included two debt funds, which is a particularly popular asset class at the moment.”
“This further enhances our position as the leading jurisdiction for non-UK LSE listings, particularly investment funds. It also reaffirms the high regard in which the Island’s infrastructure and expertise is held by professional advisers in the City of London and beyond.”
Guernsey added 13 new entities to the LSE in 2014, more than any jurisdiction except the UK.
These included the two renewable energy-focused entities, John Laing Environmental Asset Group and NextEnergy Solar Fund, as well as Schroder’s European Real Estate Investment Trust.
The largest of the LSE’s alternative market listings was also a Guernsey incorporate firm, Market Tech Holdings Limited, which made an initial public offering of £750 million and, with an over-subscribed placing, raised £100 million before expenses.
Guernsey also has the largest number of equity investment instruments listed on the LSE, with 73 listings. Again, this is considerably higher than the second and third contenders, which are Jersey and Cayman with 18 and 14 funds, respectively.
Wheatley said: “Guernsey is the jurisdiction of choice for listings on the LSE. However, companies incorporated in Guernsey can also list on the local Channel Islands Securities Exchange, Euronext, markets in Australia, Johannesburg, Toronto and Frankfurt, as well as the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, among many other exchanges around the world.”
“This means that Guernsey provides an ideal gateway to global capital markets.”
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