NYSE Euronext has laid out plans to stimulate bond issues among smaller companies through its new EnterNext subsidiary, but efforts to revitalise access to finance for SMEs must go further, say industry observers.

One of the priorities for EnterNext, which formally launched in Portugal, Belgium and the Netherlands last week following its initial introduction in France in May, will be to target greater use of initial bond offerings by listed and unlisted small- and mid-sized companies. The bonds will be made available for trading by retail investors, as well as institutions.