Annual deal value more than doubled 2020’s total to reach all-time high  

Deal value exceeded US$1 trillion in every quarter for the first time in history, in just one example of the record-shattering 2021.  

The data White & Case gathered from 58 of the most active merger control jurisdictions globally reveals trends and insights that can't be gleaned from data on single jurisdictions considered in isolation.

Heightened interest in medical suppliers, contract research organizations and biotech firms resulted in an impressive year for healthcare dealmaking.

Expanded jurisdiction, mandatory filings and a substantially increased pursuit of non-notified transactions have changed the landscape 

Since COVID-19, deals involving foreign state-owned enterprises or enterprises related to public health or the supply of critical goods and services are increasingly subject to review

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

Intense competition to deliver on-demand content accelerates dealmaking in the sector

Investors eager to maintain high levels of capital deployment have kept terms and pricing highly flexible for bond and loan issuers, but that does not mean easy access for borrowers—lenders are still pushing back against credits that fall short of the quality bar

Reopening economies have transformed the credit landscape with ratings upgrades rising sharply through the year, after 2020 recorded the highest number of downgrades in more than two decades.

The rise in sustainability-linked debt issuance observed in 2021 has shown little sign of slowing down as borrowers continue to focus on improving ESG performance in response to investor demand.

Recovering oil prices brought much needed stability to the balance sheets of oil and gas borrowers that were on the brink of foreclosure through lockdowns, but the transition away from hydrocarbons poses an ongoing challenge for issuers.

Canadian dealmakers are betting on large overseas purchases as market confidence returns

Deal activity in the auto industry has never been higher, as manufacturers look to capitalize on the shift towards electric vehicles  

Despite a spike in energy prices and persistent inflation, year-to-date leveraged loan activity showed substantial gains on 2020 levels  

A rebounding domestic economy and abundant liquidity south of the border are encouraging Canadian borrowers to draw on US high yield bond markets in increasing numbers

Global high yield markets paused for breath in Q3 2021, but year-to-date issuance remains ahead of 2020 levels in most regions

Our survey shows investment in infrastructure assets looks set to accelerate with an anticipated boost from the US infrastructure bill and a growing focus on sustainability and technology