LONDON, December 5, 2024 — With lower interest rates, curbed inflation and a new U.S. administration, the outlook for 2025 is for M&A activity to build on this year’s gains. Research from WTW’s Quarterly Deal Performance Monitor (QDPM) shows a steady rise in the volume of deals valued at over US$1 billion during the last 12 months[1], a positive trend that has sparked growing confidence in corporate boardrooms for the year ahead.
5 M&A trends for 2025
After a challenging couple of years, with the market having to grapple with inflation and rising interest rates, M&A activity in 2024 demonstrated signs of recovery. However, getting complex, costly transactions right in the fast-changing world of M&A will remain a challenge for buyers and sellers. Jana Mercereau, Head of Europe M&A Consulting at WTW, looks at five critical trends that companies should track for 2025:
About WTW M&A
WTW’s M&A practice combines our expertise in risk and human capital to offer a full range of M&A services and solutions covering all stages of the M&A process. We have particular expertise in the areas of planning, due diligence, risk transfer and post transaction integration, areas that define the success of any transaction.
About WTW
At WTW (NASDAQ: WTW), we provide data-driven, insight-led solutions in the areas of people, risk and capital. Leveraging the global view and local expertise of our colleagues serving 140 countries and markets, we help organisations sharpen their strategy, enhance organisational resilience, motivate their workforce and maximise performance.
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Footnote
- According to the M&A research, run in partnership with the M&A Research Centre at Bayes Business School, the volume of deals valued at over US$1 billion has continued to rise steadily, reaching its highest level in two years with 46 transactions completed during Q3 2024. This represents a 31% increase in volume compared to Q3 2023. Return to article
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“Mid-market M&A activity looks set to surge in 2025 driven by increased margin pressure.”Jana MercereauHead of Europe M&A Consulting at WTW
