Over the same period, with the odd hair-raising interruption, interest rates have fallen, tempting companies and governments to refinance expensive debt year after year, leading to a prolonged surge in bond issuance.

ECONOMIST: BRITAIN SPECIAL: GLOBAL INVESTMENT BANKS: Fools’ gold | The

This made Armstrong's victory safe and looked likely to leave the sprinters with a hair-raising dash to stage glory.

BBC: SPORT | Other Sport... | Cycling | Armstrong seals seventh Tour win