Recent Insights

metal wall
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High yield bond issuance rebounds
After COVID-19 concerns brought issuance to a near halt in March, Q2 high yield bond activity climbed in most markets as borrowers sought to boost balance sheets and cash reserves
Chile city
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Loan activity evolves in Latin America
Latin American loan issuance has felt the effects of COVID-19 disruptions, but lenders have remained open for business as borrowers turn to bilateral loan revolving credit facilities for liquidity
Stock market
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Responding to a cyber-incident
Shanghai city image
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Chinese M&A bounces back in Q2
A surge of interest from inbound investors drives recovery after a sharp fall in Q1
windows
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Social bond issuance soars as COVID-19 recoveries begin
Growing investor appetite for financial products with a positive impact, coupled with a demand for recovery capital post-COVID-19, have lifted the market for social bonds
Patterns
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ESG takes center stage amid economic crisis and social unrest
Strong ESG credentials and long-term plans to improve their relationship with society and the environment are increasingly important to ensure companies’ access to capital
digital screen showing monetary rates
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Regulators determined to keep SOFR transition on track
The disruption to capital markets caused by the COVID-19 pandemic has not shifted the overall timeline of regulators and industry bodies for the replacement of US dollar LIBOR with SOFR by the end of 2021
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Loan markets show signs of life after COVID-19 shock
Investor sentiment has begun to recover, but ratings downgrades and higher pricing continue to keep loan markets on alert
Milan, Italy
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A strong start to the year mitigated the impact of COVID-19 on Italian M&A
A handful of large deals struck early in the year provided a few bright spots for Italian M&A activity in H1 2020
Copper Ore Mining & Metals
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Mining & metals in the COVID-19 world: Underlying resilience masks ESG concerns
The global mining & metals industry began the new decade on a positive note. But as the global economy is struck by the unprecedented force of the coronavirus pandemic, how is the sector positioned for life post-COVID-19?
Buckingham Palace gate details
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Financial institutions M&A: Sector trends - July 2020
We highlight the key European M&A trends in the first half of 2020, and provide our insights into the outlook for M&A moving forward.
stocks
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Global M&A value collapses to record lows in Q2 2020
As the COVID-19 pandemic spread, global M&A value dropped to the lowest half-yearly total since H1 2010
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Global PE buyout activity stays relatively robust in H1
Amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, total buyout volume in the first half of 2020 dropped 23% annually, while value fell 30%—less than half the rate of decline of overall M&A
Paris
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France hopes for recovery after COVID deal dip
French M&A activity has suffered steep falls because of COVID-19, but green shoots are emerging as lockdown measures ease
circuit board
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Technology M&A remains resilient in the face of COVID-19 crisis
Technology dealmaking has continued apace in 2020 as M&A investors take advantage of the sector's resilience to transact
DNA
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Healthcare M&A prospers, despite fall in deal activity
The megadeals of 2019 may be off the table for now, but deal activity across healthcare and pharmaceuticals has proven resilient through the COVID-19 crisis
Refinery
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Oil & gas industry feels financing squeeze
Low prices and excess supply have pushed oil & gas balance sheets to the brink, which means raising traditional debt will remain difficult and restructurings are expected
circuit board
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Technology sector shows resilience during lockdowns
Remote working, online shopping and telemedicine have shielded the technology sector from the worst effects of COVID-19 lockdowns
Sao Paulo city image
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Strong foundations, uncertain future: How COVID-19 will affect the M&A market in Latin America in 2020 and beyond
The year started strongly for many nations in Latin America, but coronavirus has heavily impacted the M&A market.
medicine blue pills
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Healthcare sector under pressure but the prognosis looks good
COVID-19 has pushed healthcare systems around the world to the limit, but depending on the vertical, certain companies have been less affected than those in other sectors—and the availability of credit to battle the pandemic has helped
building windows
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Leisure sector M&A awaits delayed reaction
COVID-19 is hammering leisure sector M&A—but not so much that opportunities have vanished
store fridge
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Appetite for change in the consumer food and beverage sector
Even though COVID-19 has taken a toll on consumer spending and supply chains, the food and beverage industry has shown resilience and continues to tap credit markets
Aviation
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Coronavirus keeps aviation industry grounded
Few sectors have felt the impact of COVID-19 as deeply as aviation, and airlines are exploring all lines of finance to bolster balance sheets.
Aviation
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Aviation M&A braces for impact
COVID-19 travel restrictions have put the aviation industry on the backfoot. M&A will not be an immediate priority, but consolidation and distressed deals will come in time
tables outside a restaurant
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Relaxation not an option for leisure and hospitality sectors
The COVID-19 lockdown forced restaurants, hotels, gyms, theaters and casinos to shut their doors and put balance sheets under extreme strain, but some have tapped debt markets to see them through
escalator image
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Cracks show in retail as debt burden begins to bite
Retailers faced a difficult financing market before COVID-19 appeared, but lockdowns have made the situation even tougher
Financial Institutions M&A: Sector trends - June 2019
Insight
Global retail M&A volume drops to lowest total since 2009
COVID-19 has put dealmaking in the already disrupted retail industry under further strain. Some retailers, however, have proven resilient and those that survive will see opportunity to vertically integrate supply chains and invest in technology capabilities
city at night
Insight
Accelerating change: From smart city to smart society
The COVID-19 pandemic has revealed some of the shortcomings of major cities in times of crisis. As the world searches for ways to make urban areas more resilient, smart city initiatives offer some of the answers.
refinery image
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Oil & gas M&A stumbles in the face of COVID-19 crisis
Oil & gas dealmaking has plummeted following a period of prolonged low oil prices and a steep fall in demand due to COVID-19. However, large players with strong balance sheets could still see opportunities to invest
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COVID-19 and your deal: Considerations for underwriters
Underwriters are grappling with the need to support clients that are accessing funding, while maintaining disclosure standards and managing their risk when the tools they’ve typically used may be unavailable
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High yield bond issuances rebound during coronavirus lockdown
The impact of the coronavirus pandemic saw high yield bond issuances grind to a halt at the end of Q1, but markets started to revive in Q2
Digital infographic
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Loan issuance seizes up as coronavirus fallout hits
Despite a promising beginning to the year, US and European leveraged loan markets felt the full economic impact of the pandemic
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Most pending US M&A deals are proceeding as agreed, despite COVID-19
We highlight the responses companies are taking in light of the current environment and the arguments some buyers are making to terminate transactions
Rugby
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Dealmakers plan to lean into a downturn
Half of the executives in our survey expect to do more deals if there's a downturn in 2020 than if there isn't
Iceburg
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Shareholder activism changes everything
Activism affects virtually everyone now—even those who may never have to deal with an activist
Cargo ship
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Trade and national security policies create pent-up demand for cross-border deals
Cross-border M&A remains a high priority—though trade wars and national security rules change the game for some
Columns
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The digital revolution could fuel “shadow protectionism”
Digital drives deals in every sector, ensuring tech is a primary focus of M&A across the board—even as data challenges multiply
Telescope
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M&A is top of mind: Will dealmakers actually double down in a downturn?
In a world roiled by activism, geopolitical uncertainty and data risk, dealmakers are eager to lean in, according to our survey
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Coronavirus: The impact on leveraged finance
As the effects of coronavirus on the primary and secondary debt markets continue, there will be ongoing implications for leveraged finance transactions
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LIBOR discontinuation: What does the future hold?
LIBOR, one of the most significant global benchmarks for calculating interest, is to be phased out by 2021 and replaced by alternative benchmarks in the form of risk-free rates.