Plus Markets to close leaving 150 companies looking for new homes Plus Markets Group shocked its 150 client companies, worth a combined £2.3bn, with its decision to close the business after it failed to find a buyer. Companies on the market saw their share prices rocked as investors fled the struggling market. Although well known names such as brewer Shepherd Neame and Arsenal Football Club were able to weather the uncertainty other companies such as investment house Rivington Street Holdings, down 44pc at one point yesterday, saw their share prices suffer. The decision to close Plus is a particular concern for Rivington Street Holdings. Not only is the company listed on Plus but its fund management arm T1ps Investment Management manages over £28m of client money, £1.5m of which is invested in Plus-listed companies. An advisor to one of the larger Plus-listed companies said: "Plus has distinguished itself in demonstrating how not to communicate with the market. The shame is many shareholders will find themselves unable to trade their shares. While larger companies such as Quercus, the publishing house behind The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, will be able to switch to other markets, smaller companies may struggle. A source close to Aim, Plus's main competitor, said: "A company that might be suited to Plus might not be suited to Aim. We would want to talk to the management to see if it made sense for them to join the market. Plus's financial problems appeared to take the company by surprise. In December last year management led by Cyril Theret suggested Plus had enough cash to see it through to profitability. "Existing cash resources will support PLUS as it closes the gap to profitability, anticipated in 2012," it said. The FSA is working with Plus on finding alternative homes for the companies on the exchange.