S&P warns of $46 trillion refinancing challenge

European companies could face serious challenges refinancing a wall of maturing debt over the next few years as the region's banks deal with the impact of regulation and fallout from the Eurozone debt crisis, according to a new report from Standard & Poor's.

The rating agency predicted that companies round the world would need new funding or to refinance existing debt totaling as much as $46tn over the next five years. And while global banks and debt capital markets should largely be able to provide the majority of funding for companies, S&P raised concerns about the ability of European lenders in particular to meet all corporate funding needs as they deal with the impact of sluggish economic growth and tough regulatory requirements ... READ MORE

Released by the Financial Times - 10 May 2012