US government agencies have become increasingly active in investigating and blocking M&A deals in the last year, with a number of notable transactions hitting the rail. What is causing this, and what does the near future hold?

 

Toppan Vite, a trusted financial printing and communications company, in partnership with Mergermarket, is pleased to present the second M&A Pulse newsletter, in which US-based senior corporate executives were surveyed to gain insight on antitrust action in M&A.

 

 

 

See more and subscribe to Toppan Vite‘s Blog here.

 

Toppan Vite, a leader in financial printing, delivers a hassle-free experience for mission-critical content for capital markets transactions, financial reporting and regulatory compliance filings, investment companies and insurance providers. Part of the world’s largest printing company with over $13 billion in annual sales, we have the scale, financial strength and commitment to be the partner of choice for mission-critical transactions, any size, across the globe. Learn more at us.toppanvite.com

Depressed oil prices are putting pressure on the profit margins of some international oil companies (IOCs), leading to further cost reductions. This may result in more asset sales in Asia-Pacific in the year ahead. In the Asia-Pacific region, 2015 closed with 44 energy divestitures and asset sales worth a total of US$17bn, down from 2014’s US$30.2bn from 60 deals. Q1 2016 saw 11 divestments worth US$1.3bn.

 

Eversheds, a leading international law firm, has teamed up with Mergermarket to trace the shifting trends in the Asia-Pacific energy sector in Searching for solutions: Energy asset sales in Asia-Pacific, the second issue in a newsletter series.

 

This thought-leadership publication includes an exclusive interview with Eversheds partners Charles Butcher, Corporate, and Jae Lemin, Banking, presenting expert insights on considerations pertaining to timing, preparation and risks in Asian oil and gas divestitures and asset sales.

 

 

As volatility continues in the world economy, the North American mid-market has seen a dip in M&A activity. In the first five months of 2016, the value of mid-market deals fell 10% to US$56.9bn, while volume dropped to 655 deals, from 896 a year earlier. After several years in which sellers could dictate terms, it has become a buyer’s market in many sectors.

 

And yet, selling opportunities will continue to arise. The question for sellers is: How can a company best position itself in this environment?

 

Mergermarket, on behalf of Firmex, a virtual data room provider, interviewed four experienced mid-market dealmakers to discuss the key steps business owners should take to optimize value.

 

 

Global M&A activity continued at a deliberate pace in May, continuing this year’s slowdown, with 1,054 deals worth US$224.5bn – a 39.7% decrease in value and 356 fewer deals than the corresponding period of 2015. Private equity activity has been livelier, however: In the first two months of Q2 2016, there were 367 buyouts worth US$72.2bn, a 23.9% increase in value year-over-year.

 

 

Welcome to the June Venue® Market Spotlight.

 

RR Donnelley commissioned Mergermarket to interview professionals based in the US, Europe and Asia-Pacific to gain insight on their opinions regarding private equity challenges over the next 12 months.

 

As the appeal of private equity continues to rise among investors, competition for fundraising and deals is at an all-time high. Yet regulatory pressures have become intense and the world economy remains on shaky ground – especially after the Brexit vote on June 23.

 

This month’s Venue® Market Spotlight examines the challenges facing the private equity industry over the coming year. Half of all respondents said intense competition from strategics will be one of the biggest barriers to PE success, while 33% said tight profit margins at portfolio firms will be a major issue as well. Europe is expected to have the least attractive valuations for PE over the coming year, 88% of respondents said.

As the importance of cybersecurity rises in the corporate environment, it has become vital for potential acquirers to assess the IT systems of M&A targets. Companies are increasingly aware of the need for cybersecurity due diligence, yet they often lack the proper personnel to conduct thorough analyses, according to a new study by West Monroe Partners and Mergermarket, Testing the defenses: Cybersecurity due diligence in M&A.

 

West Monroe Partners, a North American business and technology consulting firm, commissioned Mergermarket to interview North America-based senior M&A practitioners to provide insight on the complexities and challenges of cybersecurity due diligence in the acquisition process.

 

Highlights from the report include:

 

 

See more content from West Monroe here.

In a global environment fraught with economic uncertainty and political change, companies looking to acquire need help from their adviser pool like never before.

 

M&A activity worldwide stood at US$4.28tn in 2015, an increase of 30.4% on the previous year, but has dipped so far in 2016. With a lower number of deals, the stakes are even higher for those that do get done. Understanding what is important to your clients and how you can best serve them is essential to being an effective adviser.

 

With this in mind, RR Donnelley, in association with Mergermarket, presents the Dealmakers’ Guide, a snapshot into the minds of 75 global corporate dealmakers.

 

 

Welcome to the July Venue® Market Spotlight.

 

Against a backdrop of sluggish global growth and diminished M&A activity this year, Brexit adds further uncertainty to the macroeconomic picture. Before the dust settles, many corporates will likely take a “wait and see” approach when it comes to dealmaking, both in Europe and beyond.

 

To gain insight on the effects of the UK vote on M&A, RR Donnelley commissioned Mergermarket to interview professionals based in the US, Europe and Asia-Pacific. Respondents are broadly bearish when it comes to Brexit’s impact on dealmaking, yet they believe opportunities will present themselves for risk-hungry buyers.

 

Almost two-thirds (64%) of respondents said global M&A activity will decline further due to Brexit, while 40% believe private equity activity will decrease as well. Nearly three-quarters (72%) said they think Brexit will cause a major downturn in Europe and/or the UK, but not in the rest of the world.

Mergermarket is pleased to present Slow but steady: US M&A H1 2016, in association with White & Case. The report looks at the key factors and trends driving dealmaking in the United States, and what might be in store for the rest of 2016. After two blockbuster years for US M&A, the market reverted to historical norms for the first half of 2016.

Global M&A activity experienced a decline following the record highs of last year, with 7,794 transactions worth US$1.3tn, a 26.8% decrease in value and 936 fewer deals compared to H1 2015. Political action and uncertainty proved a significant influence around the globe throughout H1 2016. Actions by US regulatory agencies upset two potentially high-value transactions in Pfizer/Allergan and Halliburton/Baker Hughes. Similarly, in Europe, potential implications related to the “Brexit” vote added uncertainty to that region’s overall dealmaking activity.