Despite ongoing tensions in the region, M&A is up in the Middle East

Ample firepower and increasingly attractive public market valuations should ensure that 2019 is another robust year

A rise in US mega-transactions more than made up for a drop in volume in the first half of 2019

Many of the factors that have underpinned recent M&A activity remain in place, but concerns are mounting

Concerns about the price of oil have left the industry reluctant to strike deals, bringing down volume and value in H1

Proposed revisions to current financial statement disclosure requirements for business acquisitions and dispositions would simplify compliance while ensuring investors get the information they need

The first half of 2019 saw several decisions from the Delaware courts that will affect M&A dealmaking

After a standout 2018, real estate M&A has dropped significantly in the first half of 2019, but segments of the market such as logistics and hotels have remained attractive

M&A activity in the retail sector fell sharply during the first half of 2019, as uncertainty and digital disruption continue to put pressure on the sector

H1 2019 has seen deal value continue to climb in technology M&A, as digital disruption overtakes segments of the market such as fintech and Big Data

The need to replenish intellectual property has pushed the pharma industry to the highest-performing sector by M&A value

The pharmaceutical, medical and biotech sector was number one by value, followed by technology, media and telecoms (TMT). TMT led by volume, followed by industrial and chemicals.

Despite accumulating a vast, historic pile of capital for acquisitions, private equity has moderated its pace of buyouts in the first half of the year

The US M&A market delivered a surprisingly robust first half, with total value rising 9 percent year-on-year. Volume, on the other hand, dipped 21 percent