Other firms plan to ship compressed, rather than liquid, gas a less capital-intensive process that might make smaller fields profitable.

ECONOMIST: Liquefied natural gas

Part of the reason is that a strong capital base and a liquid balance sheet--HSBC has one of the strongest Tier 1 ratios out of the big banks--is something the company has never parted from, Green says.

FORBES: Better Safe Than Sorry

For the first time in history low-income earners would accumulate real liquid capital.

FORBES: Fact and Comment

One reason China is setting up its sovereign wealth fund now is that huge trade surpluses and a vast reserve of foreign exchange mean it simply has too much cash to absorb into its own economy, and capital controls keep it from investing in liquid assets like American T-bills.

FORBES: Tracking The Sovereign Funds

And as capital markets become more integrated and liquid, it is easier for single-country firms to raise money by selling bonds or shares.

ECONOMIST: Worldbeater, Inc

It also ended its liquid-crystal display venture with rival Samsung, while inking a new capital alliance with Japanese electronics and camera maker Olympus Corp. to strengthen its medical equipment business.

NPR: Sony Back In Black On Cheap Yen, Healthier Sales