Global M&A Industry Trends 2022

25 February, 2022

Global M&A hit new highs in 2021, breaking prior records by a long shot. There was a 57% increase in global deal values and a 24% increase in global deal volumes from 2020 to 2021, according to our Global M&A Industry Trends 2022 report.

Intense demand for technology and digital and data-driven assets point to another bumper year for M&A in 2022, although increasing macroeconomic and regulatory headwinds may make 2021 a hard year to beat.

Key findings from the report

  • PE ended 2021 with a record US$2.3 trillion in "dry powder", 14% higher than at the start of the year. There is clearly plenty of capital available for M&A activity in 2022.
  • Portfolio reviews are triggering a wave of divestitures as corporate dealmakers seek to reinvest and optimise their assets for growth.
  • Growing macroeconomic and regulatory headwinds may temper dealmaking in the year ahead.

To learn more about these recent trends and how they will influence your future dealmaking activity, read our latest Global M&A Industry Trends analysis or talk to any member of our Deals Advisory team.

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