Investors may soon be turning their eyes to corporate bonds, attracted by their stability compared to the roller-coaster ride that those backing financial and sovereign debt continue to suffer, according to bankers.

In recent weeks the corporate bond market has been quiet. Mike Amey, head of UK fixed income at $1 trillion (€809bn) fund manager Pimco, said: "Volatility last month left the market feeling nervous and cognisant of tail risk. Whenever you get a shift in the market like that, it takes time for both sellers and buyers to work out how to price issues."