Firms raise RM1.4 trillion from share sales this year

LONDON: Companies around the world have raised almost half a trillion dollars by selling shares in 2014 so far – the highest total for the first half of a year since 2007, before the onset of the financial crisis, data shows.

Firms have flocked to issue equity thanks to record highs in stock markets and low volatility, while private equity firms have seized the opportunity to sell out of investments made before the crisis, capitalising on strong investor demand.