Securities Industry Association’s ‘Capital Alert’ Reports To Congress On Money Raised By Markets To Drive U.S. Economy - U.S. Firms Raised More Than $144-Billion In 1Q ‘04

The Securities Industry Association’s Capital Alert report today provides a convincing demonstration of the critical role played by the equity and debt markets in raising capital to fuel the U.S. economy. The report, distributed to Congress each quarter, provides data on capital raised by equity and debt issues on a state-by-state basis. In the first quarter of this year, U.S.-based businesses raised more than $144-billion in capital.

“The capital raised by our equity and debt markets is the fuel that drives our economy,” said Steve Judge, SIA senior vice president, government affairs. “The money raised by individual and institutional investors helps to bring new technologies, products, and services to the public, creating jobs and prosperity. The quarterly Capital Alert underscores that point, letting members of Congress know exactly how much capital was raised in their home states.”

“The Capital Alert clearly illustrates that the markets not only play a key role in fueling the national economy, but are also active and vital to every region of the country,” said Richard Hunt, SIA senior vice president, federal policy. “When people think of the markets, they tend to focus on Wall Street, but it’s important to remember that the markets are at work in all 50 states, helping to finance economic growth.”

The Capital Alert is posted on SIA’s Web site at:
http://www.sia.com/capitol_hill/html/captial_alert.html

Click here for details of Q1 2004 capital raising by state.