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Contrasting with the bullish prices of much emerging market debt, Yugoslavia's has dropped from being traded in the high forties a few weeks ago to a low of 35%, following inconclusive talks held at the end of June between the government of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (the FRY consists of Serbia and Montenegro) and the relevant London Club committee. Some analysts think the price could go lower still.

When foreign investment banks made $250 million on an erroneously priced Italian postal bond issue last year, the then chairman of Nomura's London office, Hitoshi Tonomura, was all set to follow CSFB's example and return Nomura's profit - thought to have been around $50 million.

Awards for Excellence 1997

Credit is this year's buzzword in investment banking. Credit analysts, credit trading, credit products and credit spreads are the talk of managers around the world. The excitement is driven by solid economic factors such as European monetary union, improving credit fundamentals, low interest rates and the search for yield. But markets are also being talked up by some traders looking for the upside in bonds almost as if they were equities. Investors are mistaken if they believe that credit derivatives provide a hedge in the same way as interest rate swaps. Will it all end in tears? Peter Lee investigates.

Three years of declining margins have lenders scrambling for yield. They are turning to higher risk areas such as project finance and emerging markets. But the curse of high liquidity soon tracks them down and ruins the rates. Only by aggressive portfolio management and offering additional services can banks make money. Nigel Pavey reports.

Masters of credit or hype?

Vestel's success is a personal victory for Ahmet Zorlu, a 52-year-old primary school graduate who made a fortune in textiles. Zorlu reportedly acquired 82% of Vestel's shares for less than $10 million in 1994 from Polly Peck's administrators.

In the course of the year, Morgan Stanley was involved in the largest merger ever. Novartis combined Swiss pharmaceuticals companies Ciba-Geigy and Sandoz to create $20 billion of market value on the first day of trading.

Corporate risk management is advancing dramatically because of computer power, communications, the Internet, and the value-at-risk (VAR) concept borrowed from banks. Several companies are leading the charge, and attempting to quantify risks that aren't just financial. But can that help the treasurer do his job? By David Shirreff

Shaping up for the single currency

Shaping up for the single currency

Borrowers are wondering how European monetary union (Emu), if it happens, will affect their credit ratings.