Central bank intervention has helped reduce volatility in foreign exchange markets, but it remains a mixed blessing for investment banks and their clients.
Latest articles from Philip Alexander
Morgan Stanley grows into euro debt squeeze
October 1, 2012Heavier capital requirements and tighter funding conditions for European universal banks have increased the importance of debt capital markets rather than bank loans for European companies. Morgan Stanley's co-head of global fixed-income markets is working to make sure the bank can seize the opportunity.
Five a day keeps Barclays bond team healthy
October 1, 2012Windows for bond issuance were fleeting during the second quarter of 2012, but the Barclays public sector team opted to jump in with five tranches of debt on one day.
‘American finish’ to Basel takes the shine off smaller banks
September 24, 2012US regulators have extended the consultation over their proposed rules to implement the international Basel III capital requirements, as implementation fears mount up for smaller banks.
Tracking the banking gender gap
September 6, 2012It is understandable that the European Commission wants more women on company boards; western European banks are among the worst in the world for gender equality in the executive suite.
RBS Markets & International Banking chief looks forward with optimism
September 3, 2012After an unprecedented wave of deleveraging and reorganisation, Royal Bank of Scotland’s head of markets and international banking for Europe, Middle East and Africa says the bank’s strategy for the future is now taking shape.
Can Europe emulate US small-cap sweet spot?
September 3, 2012While some of the largest initial public offerings have attracted the wrong kind of headlines recently, investors can find value among genuine US growth companies but the UK is struggling to match this success.
Equity bankers waiting to bridge the gap
September 3, 2012Emergency capital raisings are over, conditions for new listings are still unattractive and equity capital markets divisions are under pressure.
Japanese lessons for Europe’s banks
August 6, 2012The decline of Japan’s banking sector in the 1990s may provide some indication of how European bank deleveraging will unfold over the next few years.
Renaissance Capital investment bank head seeks emerging market niche
August 1, 2012After leading Morgan Stanley’s equities business outside the Americas, John Hyman is working to position Renaissance Capital as a focused player in a number of very different markets across emerging Europe and Africa.