After a record 2007, in which $935.4 billion was raised through equity markets across the world, 20% more than in 2006, ECM bankers remain optimistic for 2008, despite the year’s inauspicious start.
"Clearly equity markets remain challenging as we head into 2008," says Thomas Gottstein, co-head of EMEA ECM at Credit Suisse. "Concerns about a US recession and a slowdown in countries like the UK and elsewhere mean that there is a general toning down of global growth expectations. Emerging markets in Central Europe, the Middle East, Asia and Africa, however, continue to show strong growth...
