Artio Global Investors may be named after a mythological bear, but poor market conditions are the last thing the US asset manager hopes for as it limbers up for the first flotation of an investment house in almost two years.

Other asset managers, and their owners, will be sharing that hope, according to investment bankers specialising in providing advice to the asset management industry. A UK investment banker said: "Artio Global's flotation will be closely watched and may change the way people think.