Geraldine Lambe analyses trends in the global equity market for the first half of 2010, and gauges how the second half might pan out.

Recent positive noises from the Basel Committee have eased concerns among banks about what instruments will count as Tier 1 capital in the future. But huge uncertainties remain over what form future regulation will take, in particular regarding hybrid debt. Many banks could find that they are forced to revisit a now saturated market for bank equity issuance; either that or come up with more innovative ways of boosting capital ratios. Writer Charlie Corbett

With investors in a state of near permanent paranoia, pricing an initial public offering to perfection is critical in today's market. The list of failed or delayed IPOs in the first half of 2010 is testament to this. Only the strongest will survive - even those at a healthy discount. Writer Charlie Corbett