France puts on a credit spurt

Continental Europe's corporate bond market is expanding and catching up with the US and UK. French banks and issuers are stealing a march on their nearest competitors in the range and sophistication of their issues.

By Helena Frith Powell

Achour and Khayat: agree that the 30-year bond market could provide corporates with a sound source of
long-term money

THIS YEAR HAS been one of the most dynamic for French capital markets that veteran bankers can remember. The trend looks set to continue in 2004. It is characterized by big-ticket deals, an emerging corporate bond market, large equity placements and longer tenors in a sector that boasts almost as much sophistication and liquidity as the more mature markets of the US and the UK.

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