The two most talked about themes in the capital markets right now are jumbo issuance and the changes that will occur as a result of the introduction of the euro. Many of our readers will be able to quiz issuers directly at our Borrowers and Issuers Conference in mid-June. Victoria Whitenton, treasurer of Freddie Mac, for one will be there hoping that "at the Euromoney conference we will get feedback both from investors who have participated and those who have remained on the sidelines".
But in this, our special borrowers and issuers edition, we also look at both topics. On page 39 Peter Lee examines the Euromarkets' new-found obsession with liquidity and asks whether we are seeing a fad or a fundamental change in issuer behaviour. On page 47 James Rutter quizzes some of the market's most knowledgeable borrowers about the euro, liquidity and their plans for 1999. It makes surprising reading.
In this issue we also profile those borrowers, deals and dealmakers that have most impressed us and the market over the past year. From giant euro6 billion syndicated loans and $100 million asset-backed issues to nail-biting debut sovereign globals, we pick the best from the most significant markets and countries.