There have been a number of developments in merger control in 2020 and Q1 2021. Some are related to the repercussions of the COVID-19 pandemic, while others are borne out of the ambitions and changes sought by individual competition authorities or unexpected jurisprudence

US antitrust agencies were active in merger enforcement in 2019 and 2020, reflecting the agencies’ commitment to antitrust enforcement particularly in transactions involving nascent competitors and technologies

Dependable recurring income from digital music rights is attracting major investment from PE funds.

High yield bond and syndicated loan lenders are eager to fund US buyout deals, but competition from private debt markets and high secondary buyout volumes have restricted supply

Dealmaking within the PMB sector enjoyed an impressive start as companies across the globe embarked on their post-pandemic recovery.  

Borrowers are taking advantage of buoyant leveraged loan markets in the US and Europe to reprice existing credits at lower interest rates, and lenders are happy to oblige

Highly competitive and liquid markets saw leveraged loan issuance in the US and Europe surge, while activity in Asia-Pacific dipped despite high-profile jumbo deals

Borrowers in the United States, Europe and Asia are tapping buoyant bond markets to extend maturities and refinance existing debt at cheaper rates

Signs of a rebound follow last year's pullback in private equity real estate deals

A string of deals took place in the first quarter as energy firms look to capitalize on offshore wind's potential  

More than any other factor, the energy transition motivates utilities deals worldwide

In Q1 2021, private equity activity reached its highest quarterly value in more than a decade

Global M&A value more than doubled YOY to the highest first quarter total on record

COVID-19 disruption has had little impact on borrowers' ability to refinance debt and extend loan maturities

Many leveraged finance dealmakers welcomed the certainty and stability President Biden's election brought to capital markets but attention will now turn to what the new administration means for the markets in the long-term

Jennifer Kloud and Mitchell Kinastowski from BMO Sponsor Finance speak with White & Case partner Jacob Schtevie about BMO’s approach to funding technology credits, the importance of financial sponsor relationships in the mid-market and the growing popularity of recurring revenue financings

Although most SPAC activity is concentrated in the US, the boom in listings spells opportunities for European firms