Glencore's banks value trader at up to $69bn

Glencore, the commodities trader which is planning to raise up to $11bn (£6.7bn) in a flotation planned for next month, is already worth as much as $69bn (£42.3bn), with its earnings set to double in two years, according to research from two banks underwriting the Swiss firm's potentially record-breaking listing.

Glencore's banks are distributing research to potential investors to help to convince them to back the previously insular trader as it seeks to list. Research from Barclays Capital and Credit Suisse also forecasts rapid growth in key measures of profitability, such as earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation.

Barclays says Glencore's equity is now worth between $52.5bn and $69.2bn, while Credit Suisse values the Swiss firm, led by former coal trader Ivan Glasenberg, at between $53bn and $68.6bn.

Pre-flotation research typically excludes funds raised by selling new shares, in this case up to $8.8bn. If that is the situation here, it would mean the banks think that Glencore could ultimately be worth as much as $78bn after a listing.