ECM banks work harder for less, stressed investors get picky

On the surface, equity capital markets are a well-oiled machine, built to run over the rocky ground of unpredictable stockmarkets. Beneath the surface, there is a lot of sweat. Banks are having to staff their teams with less money, but do just as many deals. Investors are under the cosh, too, squeezed by weak performance and the march of passive funds. Jon Hay reports.