Riskon, Inc. is a full service executive search firm that prides itself on its knowledge of the financial services industry.  Most recently, Riskon performed an in depth analysis on the global fixed income market.  Key components of the study are highlighted below.  Information is presented in bullet format to facilitate reading.  A more detailed presentation of this information is available in the study document.  This research study is an example of the value added service Riskon provides to its clients and is what differentiates Riskon from other executive search firms.  Please feel free to offer feedback by contacting Barry_Honig@honigintl.com.

***THE EFFECTS OF GLOBALIZATION ON
FIXED INCOME MARKETS***

HOW IS THE U.S. FINANCIAL COMMUNITY RESPONDING TO THE EURO AND EUROPEAN CAPITAL MARKETS? WHAT IS THE IMPACT ON HIRING TRENDS IN SALES, TRADING, AND TECHNOLOGY?

INDUSTRY TRENDS THAT PROMOTE INVESTMENT IN EURO BASED ASSETS

	Fiscal and monetary policy changes within the EEC
	Privatization of government owned industries
	Labor law reforms and the introduction of US styled pension funds
	Mergers and acquisitions within oil, telecom, banking and airline industries

INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITIES IN THE “NEW” EUROPE

	Credit bond markets mirroring U.S. styled corporate bonds
	Mortgage and asset-backed securities with 144A language
	Local currency markets, stabilized by frequent borrowers

U.S. FINANCIAL COMMUNITY’S RESPONSE TO EUROPEAN CAPITAL MARKETS

	Investors are seeking to exploit the European market before it achieves the same liquidity, transparency, and efficiency as that of the U.S.
	Institutions are quickly establishing new funds dedicated entirely to the European corporate market to attract new investors
	U.S. corporate fund managers are switching indices to incorporate a more global component
	Fund managers and investment banks are attempting to develop the infrastructure required to support these new market opportunities

CHALLENGES FACING US FIRMS RESULTING FROM GLOBALIZATION

	Firms across the spectrum are not fully prepared to embrace this new environment
	Sell side institutions are still trying to establish cross border sales and trading teams and implement cross border computer systems to support their efforts
	Buy side institutions are struggling to meet client demands for increased investments in global fixed income instruments
	IT departments are frantically trying to keep pace with these trends, developing multi currency e-trading platforms and establishing internet distribution for new issues

U.S. HIRING TRENDS IN SALES, TRADING, AND IN TECHNOLOGY

	Domestically driven firms will have to dedicate more resources to overseas opportunities in order to share in the profits generated by this growth
	Additional sales, trading and portfolio management professionals, with experience in global products, will be required to expand market coverage, increase market share, and maximize revenue opportunities
	The need to develop infrastructure, cross border applications and risk and portfolio management systems will necessitate higher headcounts in technology departments. Without these vital support systems, firms will be unable to exploit global opportunities