Ten key matters that had real-world impact on markets and reflect broader global trends

The US relies on existing federal laws and guidelines to regulate AI but aims to introduce AI legislation and a federal regulation authority.

Understanding the ever-evolving global FDI landscape is crucial amid growing regulatory complexities in cross-border transactions and increased geopolitical tensions.

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

Although Latin America IPO markets look set to remain challenging in the year ahead, investors who are able to handle risk will find opportunities

The Asia-Pacific region had to contend with a slowdown in new listings in mainland China, but another bumper year for India's IPO market, which consolidated its position as the most active IPO hub globally, helped to lift overall activity in the region

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

Long-term policy initiatives supporting the development of capital markets in the Middle East are paying off, with stock markets across the region supporting a cluster of large state-backed and private sector IPOs in 2024

Strong performance from regional IPO hubs has helped stabilize global IPO markets and lay the foundation for further gains in 2025

The European Commission continues to be a driver of FDI screening across the EU, with Member States now moving toward coordinated enforcement.

The UK prioritizes a flexible framework over comprehensive regulation and emphasizes sector-specific laws.

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 | The value of European banking M&A hits its highest point in a decade as lenders hunt for growth across the continent

Debt Explorer | While issuance of high yield bonds strengthened across all key global jurisdictions in 2024, the US and Europe still face mounting maturity walls

M&A Explorer | The pro-business agenda of the new US administration looked set to boost outbound M&A into Europe in 2025, but tariff announcements and geopolitical tumult mean that dealmakers are holding fire for now