After years of lobbying from the smaller companies world, George Osborne appears to be intent on answering all the prayers of smaller companies entrepreneurs and investors in the space of one year. Following on from the launch of the consultation over allowing Alternative Investment Market (Aim) shares to be included in Isas, the chancellor used the Budget to announce the abolition of stamp duty on Aim and ISDX, formerly Plus markets, shares.
Small-cap specialist Giles Hargreave of Hargreave Hale welcomed the move: "Abolishing stamp duty on Aim shares will speed up the movement of capital into smaller company equities and help more Aim-listed stocks gain visibility and make a great growth market story more attractive to more investors."
