The Neuer Markt's fall from grace is more than a reflection of the global market slump. Having soared faster and higher than most other markets, Germany's growth exchange is now suffering the worst. And its recovery is likely to take longer.

Germany has gone equity mad, and biotech stocks are among those enjoying boom times that have seen stock prices sky-rocket in recent months. Some industry observers caution that the party is getting out of hand and that such volatility is dangerous for an industry with long product development cycles. That's why recent moves by MWG-Biotech AG are attracting attention. The firms IPO price was 27 Euros; by mid-February the firm an investment bank helped the company carry out a capital increase, raising over $117 million. MWG's CFO quit suddenly within weeks of the IPO and before the company announced its 1999 numbers. All this may be explainable, but even the perception of impropriety might start a stock slide, according to one analyst.