Global M&A Trends and Risks Analysis Unveiled by Mergermarket's Platform
In the first half of 2025, the global M&A market has demonstrated resilience amidst macroeconomic, geopolitical, and policy volatility, according to a report published by a global law firm and Mergermarket. The report, titled the Global M&A Trends and Risks Report, highlights key trends and risks shaping dealmaking around the world.
One of the key findings is the optimism from potential US tariff resolutions, which has improved deal-maker confidence and led to robust deal volumes. This optimism is expected to accelerate deal activity later in the year.
The EMEA region has seen an ~11% year-on-year M&A volume increase, with falling interest rates and improving economic outlooks fostering cautious optimism into 2026. The Nordics have experienced strong mid-market activity and public takeover surges, including many strategic corporate carve-outs.
In Canada, dealmakers have been incorporating earnouts, spin-offs, and divestitures into agreements to mitigate risks related to US tariffs and political uncertainties. While deal counts declined, deal volumes remained consistent, signalling a higher execution bar.
The evolving M&A landscape reflects the impact of AI advancements in due diligence and integration, and changing work environments requiring new approaches. Regulatory changes, such as the UK's Competition and Markets Authority adopting a more growth-oriented stance, introduce fresh risks and opportunities that dealmakers must navigate.
Forty-four percent of survey participants expect domestic private equity buyers to be among the most active types of acquirers in deal markets in 2025. Strategic buyers are expected to focus on domestic targets, particularly in emerging markets like Latin America, Africa, and South and Southeast Asia.
Private credit is expected to be the single most important form of financing for M&A deals in Africa, the Middle East, and Southeast Asia. Sixty-five percent of respondents expect the use of representations and warranties insurance (RWI) to increase in 2025 compared to 2024.
However, thirty-five percent of respondents expect it to become more difficult to secure M&A-related financing in 2025 compared with 2024. Despite this, fifty-one percent of respondents have acquired an AI business, and forty-six percent report looking to acquire an AI business in the near term.
The survey included responses from 100 executives from multinational corporations, 50 from large private equity firms, and 50 from major investment banks. The global corporate, M&A and securities team of the law firm provides legal advice on public transactions, take-privates, strategic review processes, joint ventures, carveout dispositions and acquisitions, debt and equity capital markets transactions, governance, compliance, general commercial and corporate advisory matters. The team boasts over 450 M&A partners and 700 other deal lawyers worldwide, advising on some of the most high-profile, complex and significant transactions in the market.
For more information, please contact:
- Dan McKenna, US Director and Global Head of PR and Communications, 1 713 651 3576
- Louise Nelson, Head of PR for Europe, Middle East and Asia, 44 20 7444 5086 (office) or 44 79 0968 4893 (cell)
[1] Global M&A Trends and Risks Report, Global Law Firm and Mergermarket [2] Nordic M&A Activity Surges, Nordic Business Report [3] Canadian M&A Adapts to Geopolitical Risks, Canadian Business Journal [4] AI and Regulatory Shifts Shape M&A Landscape, AI Business
- Amidst the global M&A market's resilience in 2025, technology advancements, particularly AI, are playing a significant role in due diligence and integration, shaping the evolving business landscape.
- In the meetup of finance and technology, private credit is projected to be the primary financial resource for M&A deals in Africa, the Middle East, and Southeast Asia, demonstrating the significant role technology plays in shaping future business strategies.
