LONDON (AP) — A record £82.5 billion was raised through new and further issues of equity on the London Stock Exchange over 2009, a 16 percent increase on 2008, the bourse said yesterday.

The LSE said there were a total of 69 new issues on the exchange, including 18 initial public offerings.

"Although there can be no certainty regarding the timing of new issues, our pipeline of new companies looking to float in 2010 is promising, with firms from a broad range of countries and sectors keen to benefit from the liquidity and profile that a listing in London offers," said Tracey Pierce, head of equity primary markets at the exchange.