Recent Insights

bridges
Insight
Asia-Pacific Infrastructure 2021: Strong foundations in a changing world

Although the world has been in the grip of a pandemic, our survey shows that the Asia-Pacific infrastructure market is set for considerable growth in the next few years with technology and ESG considerations at the heart of that expansion

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Insight
Global IPOs: Back in the game

When COVID-19 closed the IPO window at the start of last year, expectations were bleak. But the market fought back and 2020 ended on a high.

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Insight
The flight to quality in European issuance

The European leveraged finance market remains resilient following a year of unprecedented hardship, as lenders dissect credits to determine the best possible deals, from business fundamentals to pricing and documentary terms

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Insight
South Korean M&A staged Q4 comeback

An active fourth quarter and strong economic fundamentals signal a busy year ahead for South Korean dealmaking

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Insight
Shareholder activists poised for a resurgence in 2021

As the dust begins to settle, shareholder activists are making a comeback

Aviation
Insight
Aviation finance in Russia and CIS countries

Opportunities in uncertain times  

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Insight
Leisure industry readies for distress amid prolonged lockdowns

Despite encouraging signs that economies could reopen as COVID-19 vaccinations are rolled out, additional waves of infections and extended travel restrictions weigh heavily on the leisure and hospitality industry

LED lights
Insight
Chapter 11 cases soared in 2020, with more distress likely in 2021

Commercial chapter 11 filings in the US increased significantly in 2020, but government stimulus measures and widespread availability of fresh capital resulted in fewer corporate restructurings than many anticipated—that could change in the next 12 months

Climate change
Insight
Climate change disputes: Sustainability demands fuelling legal risk

Businesses must be prepared for legal challenges to their activities and proactively take steps to limit their exposure to climate change-related claims

SPACs on track to drive M&A leveraged loan issuance
Insight
SPACs on track to drive M&A leveraged loan issuance

Record SPAC issuance is expected to boost M&A activity, supporting additional leveraged finance issuance, while financial sponsors take advantage of the opportunity to exit existing investments.

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Insight
COVID-19 and trade tensions weighed on Asia-Pacific debt markets

COVID-19 disruption and tension between the US and China saw loan and high yield bond issuance decline across Asia-Pacific in 2020, and borrowers and lenders remain cautious

airport boarding area
Insight
Transportation M&A showed signs of recovery in Q4

Dealmaking is gradually making a comeback in the sector, both as a means to rebuild hard-hit companies and to meet growing consumer demand

building
Insight
Private equity turns to fund restructurings in COVID-19 slowdown

General partner-led fund restructurings accounted for the majority of private equity secondaries volume in 2020 as managers sought liquidity in a flat exit market

Miami
Insight
Positive outlook: US leveraged finance on solid ground for 2021

In 2020, after a volatile first half, US leveraged finance markets experienced a strong second half and are well-positioned for 2021.

exhaust pipes
Insight
Carbon capture and storage: The legal and regulatory context

In addition to regulating how CO2 is stored and transported, governments increasingly provide incentives to accelerate adoption of carbon capture and storage

US M&A 2020 Against all odds
Insight
Against all odds: US M&A 2020

US deal activity held up remarkably well in the face of unprecedented uncertainty in 2020, with total deal value in H2 surpassing the previous year

building pillars
Insight
Financial institutions M&A: Sector trends - January 2021

We highlight the key European M&A trends in the second half of 2020, and provide our insights into the outlook for M&A moving forward.

staircase
Insight
European leveraged finance: COVID-19 and the flight to quality

The European leveraged finance market remains resilient after a year of unprecedented hardship, as lenders dissect credits to determine the best possible deals, from pricing to documentary terms

mining field
Insight
Mining & Metals 2021: ESG momentum reaching a crescendo in a resilient market

Miners spent 2020 navigating the unprecedented challenge of COVID-19, and their resilience shone through. ESG was a dominant force but what should we expect as we head into 2021? 

telephone communication tower
Insight
Funding Europe's broadband ambitions

Europe's recognition of the importance of fast and reliable connectivity predates the pandemic but as the demand for broadband connectivity has soared due to lockdown measures, how are countries across Europe placed for funding this high-speed provision?

Refinery
Insight
Asian oil and gas M&A hits record high amid uncertainty

In a year that saw global oil and gas M&A drop dramatically amid the COVID-19 pandemic, the Asian region generated record deal value

Riyadh_Hero_1600x600 Saudi Arabia
Insight
Megadeals drive Middle Eastern M&A in 2020

Dealmaking within the region has been driven by activity at the top-end of the market, as the region’s prize assets continue to attract dealmaker attention despite the downturn

building windows
Insight
Hospitality/Leisure M&A finds flourishing niches in 2020

Hospitality and dining have been buffeted by the pandemic, weighing on deal activity. But Q4 has brought welcome refinancing support and investor confidence.

metal wall
Insight
LBO issuance slides on slow buyout activity

Leveraged buyout high yield bond and leveraged loan issuance fell in Q3 2020 as a lack of buyout deals in a still cautious M&A market dampened appetite for financing

Ho Chi Minh city
Insight
Vietnamese M&A ticks higher despite global turbulence

M&A in Vietnam surged in Q3, thanks to an economy that has proved resilient in the face of a global pandemic

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Insight
Distressed-driven restructurings rise amid COVID-19 fallout

Lockdowns and market volatility have put companies across the board under financial pressure and forced many leveraged finance borrowers into restructurings

Infrastructure
Insight
Infrastructure M&A remains robust despite COVID uncertainty

The energy transition and a growing need for efficient digital infrastructure are two trends fueling infrastructure dealmaking in 2020

mining
Insight
Miners dig deep to weather the storm

Mining companies entered 2020 in good financial shape and have continued to secure finance despite disruption from COVID-19

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Insight
NAV finance gains traction as private equity seeks liquidity

The use of net asset value finance by private equity firms has spiked under COVID-19 as managers explore new sources of liquidity in a weak M&A market

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Insight
Refinancing remains resilient

Refinancing activity has proven an attractive option amid COVID-19 disruption, with borrowers in good standing seeking to extend maturities and take advantage of low interest rates

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Insight
Renewables M&A offers hope for hard-hit energy sector

Deal activity within the renewables sector has been a bright spot for energy M&A in 2020

Hong Kong city
Insight
Leveraged finance in Asia-Pacific rallies on real estate

Chinese real estate lenders lift APAC high yield bond issuance after an active Q3

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Insight
A tale of two retail loan markets

COVID-19 split the retail financing market—players of scale with online capabilities thrived, while retailers reliant on brick-and-mortar stores for the bulk of their earnings came under increasing financial pressure

Financial Institutions M&A: Sector trends - June 2019
Insight
Retail M&A focuses on the essentials in 2020

Global retail M&A value increased year on year, as appetite for supermarket and convenience store assets resulted in big-ticket deals

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Insight
The recap rebound

Dividend recapitalization activity plunged in the immediate aftermath of COVID-19 but, as markets recovered, investor appetite for recap deals swelled

Refinery
Insight
No let up for oil and gas borrowers

The oil and gas sector has been one of the hardest hit by COVID-19 lockdowns and there has been little relief as restructurings rise across the industry

Insight
Resurging leveraged loan issuance points to a stronger year

After taking a deep dive in Q2, US leveraged loan issuance picked up in Q3, while European markets gained year on year

Israel skyline
Insight
Israel M&A tracks global deal downturn in wake of crisis

Deal activity fell dramatically in 2020, but Q3 shows signs of recovery

observation tower
Insight
Foreign direct investment reviews 2020: A global perspective

A guide to navigating the rules for investing in countries that require foreign direct investment approval

building
Insight
US P2P activity falls, but activity in Europe perseveres

Despite a drop in activity, public-to-private (P2P) transactions in Europe have continued through 2020, unlike in the US market, where they have fallen sharply