Governments around the world are tightening their scrutiny of foreign direct investments  

From record SPAC IPOs and M&A deal flow to the SEC issuing a variety of pronouncements, last year was one to remember.  

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.  

Logistics, packaging and shipments companies are using M&A to expand their service coverage and future proof.

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

Deal volume has reached new highs as dealmaking confidence in the region returns  

Issuance of leveraged loans and high yield bonds to fund buyouts surged to quarterly highs in 2021 as private equity sponsors raised their investment game

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  

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

After four quarters in a row of exceptionally high PE activity, Q3 2021 has continued the trend, recording the highest value and volume of any third quarter on record  

Despite a drop on the previous quarter, Q3 2021 global M&A value represented the strongest Q3 on Mergermarket record. 

ESG-linked financing issuance swelled in 2021, with issuers responding to the rapid growth in investor demand for environmental and socially-linked debt issuance

Lifting pandemic restrictions, coupled with successful vaccination rollouts in the Gulf and an improving economic outlook, supported a rebound in loan and bond activity in the Middle East in the first half of 2021

Take private activity reached a decade high in the first half of 2021, fueled by large sums of dry powder and heated competition for assets.

PE is breaking records, notably in the education sector

FPSOs have revolutionized deep-water oil extraction but these technically complex vessels are a fertile ground for uncertainty, spiraling costs and long delays

PE investors stand ready to fund spinoffs of non-core assets as companies refocus for the recovery

Refinancing activity supports a double-digit year-on-year uptick in leveraged loan issuance in the United States and Europe, while mega-deals dominate in the Asia-Pacific region.  

Investors are finding businesses showing resilience

Low interest rates and high levels of liquidity are fueling transformational M&A deals  

Increasing cooperation between global PE players is pushing up price tags  

A brightening macroeconomic outlook and supportive deal environment helped push second-quarter value to a new record.

COVID-19 has had a significant effect on construction projects around the world, delaying work and forcing many parties to go back to their contracts and examine whether there is scope for a claim, and Saudi Arabia was no exception.

Urban environments are in the middle of a revolution. The powers of technology and data are being harnessed to make cities safer, more efficient and more sustainable. 

Leveraged finance activity in the healthcare sector made strong gains through Q1 2021 as the pandemic response saw the industry attract steady investor inflows and M&A interest

The number of distressed and liquidation-related M&A deals, especially in the US and UK, has increased year on year as businesses struggle to adapt to their post-pandemic reality.

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

High yield bond and leveraged loan issuance by European industrials, chemicals and materials companies sustained steady activity levels in Q1 2021 as they took advantage of a borrower-friendly market to raise financing

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

The first quarter of 2021 saw a string of big-ticket deals in the transportation sector, pushing quarterly deal value to a record high

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