The London Stock Exchange (LSE) has fined nine Aim companies a combined £95,000 for failing to meet new website rules.

The companies, which have not been named, were hit with penalties of between £3,000 and £15,000. This was following the introduction of new regulations on 20 August 2007 that stipulated all Aim companies should have a website.

Designed to improve the availability of information to shareholders, the rules say the website should carry summary financial information. The site must have a link to the company’s admission document and detail overseas listings, which can be an important consideration for investors trying to ascertain their tax position.

But there had been concerns some businesses were not taking this seriously. Online communications expert Investis – in a study conducted shortly after the new rules were introduced – reported that one in ten companies in the FTSE Aim 100, Aim’s index of leading businesses, were failing to meet the LSE’s website disclosure rules.

But the LSE contradicted these findings, instead claiming that 1,654 of the 1,688 companies quoted on Aim, or 98%, had been compliant with the new rules on 20 August.

The fines were issued in September 2007. In addition, warning notices were sent to seven other Aim companies for less serious breaches.