It is rushing to reinvent itself as an express, logistics and financial group in time for a stockmarket flotation in October 2000.

ECONOMIST: Post offices

Others say that flotation is not relevant to their businesses, is too time-consuming, brings stringent listing and other criteria, costs too much or would dilute their equity.

ECONOMIST: Europe's small-cap stockmarkets

Blackstone is down by around 45% from its flotation at the peak of the market, though it has risen by 34% from this time last year.

ECONOMIST: The Carlyle Group