The equity-linked market is set for a boom this year, after global convertible bond volume reached nearly three times that of flotations in January, as companies seek alternative methods of financing to the uncertainty of initial public offerings in volatile markets.
Last year globally convertible bonds raised a record $179.2bn (â¬120.6bn), according to data from Thomson. Already nearly 10% of that has been reached so far this year, with $16bn of convertible bonds launched via 17 offerings, despite rocky markets. By contrast, just $6bn has been raised by initial public offerings over the same period, mainly from emerging markets companies.
