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New forms of corporate restructuring are appearing in Dutch business. Leading pensions funds are agitating for shareholder value and companies are responding by listing subsidiaries. But some Dutch companies want to retain control of non-core divisions and exposure to their growth prospects, while at the same time benefiting from favourable stock market ratings for these businesses. So they are listing minority stakes in large divisions through so-called equity carve-outs, rather than pursuing full-blown spin-offs: a poor compromise or smart corporate finance? Steven Wilson and Leo van de Voort report.

Promises of banking restructuring have turned out to be sham. Meanwhile the Russian economy looks to be on hold until the war in Chechnya is resolved and a new president is installed. But there are some signs of recovery, reports Ben Aris

Was he the wrong man for the job or was the task too tough? Eight months after the departure of Richard Broadbent as head of global corporate finance, Schroders is no nearer to finding its direction. With his abrasive style, Broadbent caused shockwaves at an old city firm run by consensus. But he also produced results especially in Europe. Ironically, he came unstuck when he took his individualistic approach to the US and lost a fight with long-standing American managers. The fall out from his departure is still continuing. Nick Kochan reports

Edited: Peter Lee

It's clear why Vodafone conquered Mannesmann. Vodafone won because it paid to win, using its powerful stock. Its shareholders supported its share price and thereby its bid because they believed its story: that big is best in the globalizing telecoms game. And they feared failure might burst the telecoms bubble. What's less understood is how Mannesmann lost. It gave away the early momentum through bungling, suffered splits in its defence advisory team, and came within an inch of winning the hand of a French rescuer, only to hesitate. Klaus Esser made Mannesmann a top company, but his risk-taking triggered this contest and shaped its outcome. We also reveal the battle that raged beneath the surface between Goldman Sachs and Morgan Stanley during the biggest hostile takeover of all time. Marcus Walker reports