Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Alternative to USM sought

William Kay
Sunday 09 January 1994 00:02 GMT
Comments

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

RONALD COHEN, chairman of Apax Partners, the venture capital firm, still intends to press ahead with alternative plans for a stock market to cater for what he describes as 'entrepreneurially-managed growth companies', writes William Kay.

This follows Friday's decision by the London Stock Exchange to wind up its Smaller Companies Working Party and commission Mori, the opinion research organisation, to 'establish the level of demand for a market separate from the Official List'.

Mori is due to report by the end of March, when the board of the Exchange will take what it calls the final decision on the Working Party's recommendations.

On 17 December the board caused uproar when it decided not to publish a report by the working party that the Unlisted Securities Market be replaced by what it called an Enterprise Market. The USM is due to die in 1996, when European Union rules will in effect eliminate distinctions between it and the official list.

There is a clear split among the former members of the working party, broadly along the lines of those in the venture capital industry and those more closely attached to the stock market.

Owners of young companies want a USM replacement, as it would carry inheritance tax advantages not available to shareholders in companies listed on the main market.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in