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

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

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

After years of warnings about maturity walls, impending cliff edges, downturns and interest rate hikes that failed to emerge, COVID-19 was the event that brought everything to a temporary standstill—but there's every chance that the markets will explode with activity in the months ahead

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

After deal activity stagnated in H1, the third quarter offers some hope for dealmakers, as deal volume and value surpass Q3 2019

A series of exit megadeals doubled the value recorded in Q3 2019, while global buyout activity lost momentum, growing more modestly in the third quarter.

While not unscathed by the ongoing pandemic, software deals are proving to be resilient to the effects of lockdown

The decline in H1 2020 leveraged finance issuance has seen some lenders intensify their focus on pricing and borrower-friendly loan structures, but lender responses to the impact of COVID-19 have diverged across regions

The online gaming industry has flourished amid stay-at-home orders

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

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

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