As we head into the final days before the U.S. presidential election, Global Head of M&A Bill Curtin and Government Relations and Public Affairs partner Aaron Cutler discuss the impact of a Trump administration or a Biden administration on the environment for M&A

Special purpose acquisition companies have been around for decades, but a combination of regulatory friction and market volatility is contributing to a renewed interest in this financing structure as an alternative route to public ownership. Are there sufficient acquisition targets to satiate the appetite?

While some potential buyers of tech assets have put their M&A plans on hold as a result of the coronavirus, the non-stop digitalization of our lives has continued to foster an arms race. Many non-tech companies are examining how they will leverage technology in the future and are positioning themselves to play a leading role once the uncertainty settles.

China’s overall M&A activity cooled significantly in Q2 2020, but life sciences companies continue to be coveted. As trade tensions and protectionist policies elsewhere make it more difficult to attract foreign direct investment, domestic PE funds have stepped in to fill the void, looking to take advantage of a still-ripening opportunity.