M&A Explorer | APAC private equity markets have entered a holding pattern as firms face global trade and tariff uncertainty, but sophisticated managers are uncovering opportunities for investing in high-quality assets at attractive valuations

M&A Explorer | While the direction of the UK economy remains uncertain, dealmaking is flourishing as the country races ahead of its European peers in the M&A market

Some, but not all, investors may face a friendlier climate

Global IPO activity showed steady progress in 2024. Although geopolitical volatility still lingers, the foundations are in place for another solid year

Although European IPO markets still trail pre-pandemic levels, they began an upward trajectory in 2024, with an encouraging pipeline of new IPO candidates lined up for 2025.

US IPO markets entered 2025 well positioned for a promising year as stabilizing interest rates, a business-friendly US administration and the pressing need for private equity firms to exit portfolio companies laid the foundation for a favorable IPO environment, but uncertainty regarding US tariff

Global IPO proceeds improved in 2024, but while some IPO markets performed strongly, others faced a challenging year. In 2025, regional markets appear set to drive IPO themes

Sluggish M&A and IPO markets have put the brakes on private equity exit activity across Europe, but as pressure builds to clear the backlog of unsold portfolio companies, firms are taking innovative approaches to selling businesses

M&A Explorer | Despite prevailing headwinds in wider M&A markets, take-private deal flow across EMEA sustained robust levels of activity as dealmakers jumped at opportunities to buy listed companies at attractive valuations

UK & European Financial Services M&A: Sector Trends H2 2023 | H1 2024 — Specialty Finance / Marketplace Lending

UK & European Financial Services M&A: Sector Trends H2 2023 | H1 2024 — Consumer Finance

UK & European Financial Services M&A: Sector Trends H2 2023 | H1 2024 — Brokers / Corporate Finance

UK & European Financial Services M&A: Sector Trends H2 2023 | H1 2024 — Stock Exchanges / Clearing Houses / Trading Venues 

UK & European Financial Services M&A: Sector Trends H2 2023 | H1 2024 — Payments

UK & European Financial Services M&A: Sector Trends H2 2023 | H1 2024

UK & European Financial Services M&A: Sector Trends H2 2023 | H1 2024 — Asset/Wealth Management

UK & European Financial Services M&A: Sector Trends H2 2023 | H1 2024

In the 12th edition of our report, we bring you the key deal highlights and M&A trends across UK/Europe in the past 12 months which have shaped the financial services landscape. 

M&A Explorer | Governmental pressure and an improving macroeconomic outlook could see French buyout activity gaining on the UK

M&A Explorer | The addition of infrastructure to PE firms’ playbooks is part of a broader embrace of adjacent private market asset classes

M&A Explorer | Stronger stock market performance bodes well for exit conditions in Japan’s rapidly maturing PE space

The outlook for global IPO activity in 2024 is improving as interest rates stabilize and stock market valuations rally after a challenging 2023

Global IPO markets have had a comparatively positive start to 2024 after a challenging year. Investors and IPO candidates hope that stable interest rates and pent-up demand will support an increasing flow of IPO activity in the months ahead

After a slow 12 months, issuers and investors in Sweden and the CIS are hopeful that their IPO markets can punch above their weight in the year ahead

Rising interest rates and geopolitical uncertainty put the brakes on new IPO activity across global markets in 2023. However, after a challenging period, the outlook for IPO activity in 2024 is improving