Catching the small-cap bug

The star performers of Nordic stock markets are not forestry, engineering or shipping companies, they are Internet, biotechnology and service-sector start-ups. But will they stay with the local markets when their capital needs grow?

Show a 1980s Swedish banker a list of the companies which have raised equity capital on the Stockholm Stock Exchange over the past year and he would not believe his eyes. There are computer game designers, fitness centres and dental care operators, but barely one manufacturing company. Show him the valuations and he might have a heart attack. Start-up firms with no proven revenue streams have raised Skr200 million ($25 million) on P/E ratios of 40 and higher.

Access intelligence that drives action

To unlock this research, enter your email to log in or enquire about access