Jeff Kirby’s Post

Dealmakers anticipate M&A volumes will surpass $4 trillion, fueled by pro-business policies, reduced regulation, and lower corporate taxes under U.S. President-elect Trump. Key trends pointed out by investment bankers and lawyers include: a) Cross-border activity between the U.S. and Europe, driven by market opportunities and tariff concerns. b) Sector-specific consolidation in Asia-Pacific, with take-private deals rising in Hong Kong, Japan, and Australia. c) A shift from mega-mergers to smaller, strategic deals aimed at streamlining operations and accelerating growth. d) Increased focus on financial sector M&A, fueled by eased regulatory burdens. e) Geopolitics, inflation control, and interest rate stability are seen as critical factors shaping next year’s dealmaking landscape. #investmentbanking #IB #deals #financial #inflation #merger #acquisition #dubai #gcc #uae #madisonpearl #recruitment

A major reform of Australia's #competition rules, especially those in respect of #mergersandacquisitions, is to be introduced with the aim of addressing a decline in competition and its impact on economic prosperity. Rob Harkavy reports. ACCC #competitionlaw https://lnkd.in/eGTF-iqx

Good news for the UK market: M&A are bouncing back! Peel Hunt’s latest results show a return to profit, thanks to a wave of deal-making. But it’s not all rosy—IPOs are still in the slow lane, with fewer companies choosing to list in London. The number of listed businesses continues to shrink, raising big questions about the future of UK equity markets. What do you think needs to change to make the UK a top destination for listings again? https://lnkd.in/euhS3ViC #UKBusiness #M&A #TaxAndDeals

UK dealmakers are pushing for a strong year-end close to secure fee income💲as M&A wave heats up 🔥🆙 Deal volume in the UK is now at $160m for the year which is double the $82m tally for its closely rival Germany, taking the top spot among European dealmaking destinations. 🧨 Aviva on Wednesday announced a £3.3bn ($4.2bn) takeover bid for Direct Line Group (until December 25 to make a firm offer). 🧨 Macquarie Group offer today to acquire Renewi for £701m (under UK takeover rules has until December 26 to decide whether to proceed or not). 🧨 ABC Technologies is nearing an agreement to buy British manufacturer TI Fluid Systems for roughly £1bn. 🧨 Fortress Investment Group agreed today to purchase Loungers plc, operator of Cozy Club bars and Brightside restaurants, for £338m. The deals signal that the UK remains the easiest European market to do M&A, despite companies complaining about higher taxes under current government and exodus of high net worth individuals. Goldman Sachs is the leading adviser in the UK, followed by JPMorganChase and Morgan Stanley, with Citi and Barclays Investment Bank, in the top five. Transactions have spanned across all industries from paper to technology, and beverages to financial services. Biggest deal remains International Paper's agreement to buy DS Smith for £5.8bn, ➕ other larger transactions on sales of Hargreaves Lansdown, Darktrace and Audiotonix. Developing never stops ♻️

Is there a revival in sight for UK M&A? The UK’s M&A landscape has experienced a lull over the last 18 months, yet recent trends hint at cautious optimism driven by a uptick in investor confidence. Is the nation’s steady economic rebound, inflation reduction, and potential interest rate decreases set to bolster the M&A environment? I share my thoughts here -

We estimate that an additional 350 UK businesses were sold in October in advance of the budget to pre-empt increases in capital gains tax. I accept that lots of the proceeds, especially from the plc takeovers, may be going to institutional and overseas investors but these are the minority. If we ignore Entrepreneurs' Relief and take an average deal value of £10 million the budget 'accelerated' capital proceeds to entrepreneurs of £3.5 billion. At a 20% CGT rate this is £700 million of incremental proceeds to the Treasury. You can do your own maths but the outcome is clear - scaring businesses owners into an exit with rumours of draconian tax rises led to the biggest month for UK exits on record. #sme #corporatefinance #mergersandacquisitions #accountants

Trade sales have accounted for 72% of business ownership exit deals in Wales over the last 24 years, shows new research from a Cardiff corporate finance firm. The fifth survey of Welsh company exits also shows that of the 2,000 deals assessed between 2000 and 2023, around 80% of the acquired firms still remain active in Wales. https://lnkd.in/eWSwiEHa #businessexits #wales

It was a huge day for the London Stock Exchange today as the Financial Conduct Authority made the most sweeping reforms to the UK listing regime in decades. The changes are certainly a leap forward for companies looking to list in the UK and has the potential to revitalise the London IPO market. The shift in disclosure requirements removes significant regulatory friction for companies seeking to list on the LSE and new dual-class structures create a more attractive environment for pre-IPO shareholders and brings London into line with other jurisdictions like NY. Entrepreneurs considering a listing may also appreciate the change in rules that has dropped the requirement for a shareholder vote in Class 1 transactions, putting public companies on an equal footing when it comes to M&A. But there is more work to do particularly on freeing up domestic capital to invest in UK equity. Lucinda Guthrie and I put together a piece for the Evening Standard sharing our thoughts on today's big news and the challenge ahead for new UK Chancellor Rt Hon Rachel Reeves. Have a read here: https://lnkd.in/dDbHi6qa Let me know what you think! #UK #LSE #listing #ipo #deals #businesses #fca

📃 With effect from 29 July 2024, the #FCA is introducing a radically restructured UK listing regime to make it more straightforward to list in London. The package of reforms also has the potential to reduce the complexity involved in maintaining a listing in the UK and make it simpler for listed companies to participate in transformative M&A and be more competitive in auction processes. The continuing obligations to which companies admitted to the single commercial companies regime are subject have been modified. Our briefing includes a comparison of the final UK Listing Rules against the historic premium and standard listing rules. Please contact us if you have any questions. Read the full briefing ➡️ https://lnkd.in/eGi2uTZH #UKListingRegime