The prolonged bout of sickness affecting German flotations has meant just five new listings in the past 24 months. Eight companies this year have abandoned plans to float. Bankers and investors in Frankfurt therefore greeted news of the latest company to attempt an initial public offering with a sense of foreboding.

A business called Sick wants to raise several million euros in a flotation led by Cazenove and UBS. For the record, Sick is a technology group that makes laser scanners and barcode readers.