Euromoney July 1997
Euromoney's Awards for Excellence continue to generate enormous interest and to be regarded as the industry leader in independent recognition. Each year as the vetting process gets under way, our editorial offices are besieged by bankers and their public relations teams lobbying for their institutions. The excitement continues long after the results are decided as banks rejoice over the awards they have won and fret over the ones they missed.
Euromoney July 1997
Red chips have dominated headlines and share trading in Hong Kong in 1997. But who controls these new mainland-owned hongs? And how can analysts and investors value their fast-growing assets. Steven Irvine visits the new taipans.
Euromoney July 1997
Should Deutschmark and French franc bonds be converted to the nearest euro, or to two decimal places - to the nearest euro cent? Arcane as this discussion may seem it has come close to fisticuffs among the Perrier and sandwiches as government officials and trade bodies try to ensure a liquid euro securities market in 1999. David Shirreff reports.
Euromoney July 1997
Goldman Sachs promotes itself as the company's friend, saying it prefers to advise clients on friendly acquisitions. So why has it pitched into three hostile takeovers this year? Not just because times and markets have changed. Michelle Celarier reports.
Euromoney July 1997
The globalization of the securities markets can put issuers and underwriters in breach of us law without their realizing it. And journalists can be the unwitting bearers of illicit news. Peter Lee asks if the SEC is about to make some long overdue changes.
Euromoney July 1997
Financial web sites are no longer little more than electronic advertisements. Investment banks want to offer their clients meaty services - pricing models, account-management tools, databases of trades, perhaps even real-time trading. Security is a declining problem but there are still bandwidth limitations to contend with. However, at least one bank reckons it can reduce its own costs if clients can get straight to data rather than deal with customer services. Andy Webb reports.
Euromoney July 1997
Three years of declining margins have lenders scrambling for yield. They are turning to higher risk areas such as project finance and emerging markets. But the curse of high liquidity soon tracks them down and ruins the rates. Only by aggressive portfolio management and offering additional services can banks make money. Nigel Pavey reports.
Euromoney July 1997
Foreign funds are reducing their holdings in the relatively expensive Spanish equity market but domestic demand is mopping this up - and more. Falling interest rates, tax concessions on equity holdings and corporate-friendly labour-market reforms have attracted the Spanish away from fixed interest. And some foreigners are finding Madrid a useful proxy for Latin America. Jules Stewart reports.
Euromoney July 1997
The banking system is taking steps to shape up for European competition. But so far the changes are hardly sufficient in an industry plagued by overcapacity. Analysts argue that only mega-mergers will turn the tide. Philip Moore reports.
Euromoney July 1997
Defying acute political uncertainty and a high-risk
macroeconomic environment, some of Turkey's largest companies are preparing to make international offerings. Metin Munir reports.