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?

The oil and gas sector was on the brink of radical change even before the COVID-19 pandemic crushed global demand for energy. Soon, traditional players may be as interested in bargains in the oil patch as they are in opportunities in renewables. 

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.

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

Fundraising for private equity has not been easy amidst the pandemic, but it is continuing. Dealmaking, unfortunately, is another story. In this Q&A session, Dr. Matthias Jaletzke, Frankfurt-based partner, Global Head of our Private Equity & Funds practice, and Head of the Private Capital industry sector, discusses several operational hurdles that are contributing to hesitancy in M&A.

Deal activity plunged in the first quarter of 2020 on U.S.-China tensions and the coronavirus outbreak, but Corporate partner Liang Xu believes the pieces are falling into place for Chinese buyers and sellers to rebound once the health outlook and the markets stabilize.

There were a significant number of hostile M&A bids in 2019. Partner Joseph Gilligan provides his view on this activity and what we may see in 2020.