The 5 August marks ten years since it became possible to hold AIM shares in an ISA.
The UK was emerging from recession, and George Osborne, the then Chancellor, believed encouraging investment into smaller and newer businesses would help jumpstart the economy.
Making AIM shares ISA eligible meant investments into AIM shares were potentially free of income tax, capital gains tax and, after two years, inheritance tax – one of the most generous sets of tax reliefs available to UK investors.
Source: Morningstar
Wealth Club has looked back over the last ten years, to see what’s changed, what hasn’t and what the future could hold. In our view, AIM is looking far more attractive today than it did ten years ago – especially for IHT conscious investors.
How’s the market changed?
Of the 50 largest companies quoted on AIM in 2013, only 8 are still in that list today – Jet2, EMIS, Hutchmed (China), James Halstead, Polar Capital Holdings, RWS Holdings, Smart Metering Systems and Youngs & Co Brewery.
Back in 2013, 30% of the top 50 were speculative oil & gas or mining companies, whereas today energy stocks account for just 6.5%.
In 2013 six companies had a market capitalisation of more than £1bn, four of them were oil & gas companies. The average market capitalisation of the top 50 stocks on the market was £588m.
By 2023 nine companies were valued at over £1bn, none of which were in the oil & gas sector, while the average market capitalisation of the top 50 stocks on the market had risen to £790m.
How’s the market performed?
The AIM All Share has returned 15.4% over ten years, but the market has been a rollercoaster ride, comfortably outperforming the main market at times and lagging at others.
Recent weakness and changes to the sorts of companies listed on the market mean AIM is looking attractive valuation wise, trading on a PE ratio of 10.6x and a dividend yield of 2.4% (the highest at any point in the last ten years).
Source: Morningstar
Nicholas Hyett, Investment Manager at Wealth Club said, “AIM has changed a lot over ten years.
While at the smaller end the market continues to support fundraising by a wide range of young businesses, many of its early constituents have matured into bigger, more stable businesses. It’s these companies, rather than, more speculative commodity stocks that now form the backbone of the market.
That is good news for investors, especially for those looking to benefit from the AIM market’s potential for IHT relief. 
Source: Morningstar
“For starters shares in oil & gas and mining companies don’t qualify for BPR relief – which is what entitles investors in many AIM quoted companies to IHT relief after two years. But secondly, these more mature, often dividend paying, businesses have the potential to deliver attractive long-term returns.
“Of the eight companies that have kept their places in AIM’s 50 largest companies since 2013, seven paid a dividend in 2013 – not at all common on AIM now or then.
“And all have delivered returns far in excess of the wider market. In fact, we think dividends are a good sign of quality when investing in smaller companies generally, and particularly on AIM. They indicate profitability, cash generation and a shareholder centric view that is supportive of long term returns.”
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