Global M&A Trends and Risks Report unveiled by Mergermarket's website
The third edition of the Global M&A Trends and Risks report, a collaborative effort between our global law firm and Mergermarket, paints a dynamic picture of the M&A landscape in 2025. The report suggests a resilient but cautious M&A environment, tempered by ongoing geopolitical and macroeconomic uncertainties.
Resilient but Cautious M&A Activity
Despite a slight decline in deal volume in 2024, there is optimism for a resurgence in late 2025. This optimism is supported by stabilized inflation, lower interest rates, and robust capital markets in certain regions.
Increasing Complexity and Dispute Risks
The evolving geopolitical landscape, including tariff policies, foreign exchange volatility, and heightened antitrust scrutiny, is complicating deal activity and increasing risks of disputes at all stages of transactions.
Influence of AI and New Dealmaking Rules
AI technologies are reshaping due diligence, deal origination, and integration processes, presenting both opportunities and new challenges for M&A practitioners in the current hybrid working environment. Successful integration strategies must account for cultural alignment and remote workforce management.
Strategic Opportunities Amid Uncertainty
Market participants who conduct thorough due diligence and adopt technology-driven strategies, particularly AI, are positioned to capitalize on opportunities despite macroeconomic and regulatory challenges over the next 18-24 months.
Regulatory Environment
In the UK specifically, evolving merger controls and increased regulatory scrutiny around sectors involving AI partnerships are notable, influenced by government policy shifts emphasizing economic growth and competitive oversight.
Key Players and Expectations
Domestic strategic buyers, particularly in emerging markets like Latin America, Africa, and South and Southeast Asia, are expected to be the most active acquirers in 2025. Moreover, 44% of survey participants expect domestic private equity buyers to be among the most active types of acquirers.
Our global corporate, M&A, and securities team provides legal advice on various matters, including public transactions, take-privates, strategic review processes, joint ventures, carveout dispositions, acquisitions, debt and equity capital markets transactions, governance, compliance, and general commercial and corporate advisory matters.
Contact Information
For media enquiries, you can reach out to Louise Nelson, Head of PR for Europe, Middle East, and Asia, at +44 20 7444 5086 (tel) or +44 79 0968 4893 (cell). In the US, Dan McKenna, US Director and Global Head of PR and Communications, can be reached at 1 713 651 3576. Louise Nelson is the Head of PR for Europe, Middle East, and Asia for our website, while Dan McKenna is the US Director and Global Head of PR and Communications.
Survey Findings
The survey for the report included 100 executives from multinational corporations, 50 from large private equity firms, and 50 from major investment banks. Notably, 51% have acquired an AI business, with respondents applying the technology to various parts of their M&A processes. Furthermore, 46% report that they are looking to acquire an AI business in the near term.
Financing and Insurance Trends
65% of respondents expect the use of representations and warranties insurance (RWI) to increase in 2025 compared to 2024. Additionally, 35% of respondents expect it to become more difficult to secure M&A-related financing in 2025 compared with 2024, with private credit being the single most important form of financing for M&A deals according to a quarter of respondents.
The Global M&A trends and risks report (third edition) has been released by our website, in collaboration with Mergermarket. Raj Karia, Global Head of Corporate, M&A and Securities, stated that there is a clear shift in how clients approach M&A, with a move towards more deliberate and strategic planning. Overall, the report describes a dynamic M&A ecosystem in 2025 where strategic discipline, tech adoption, and careful navigation of geopolitical and regulatory complexities are critical to successful dealmaking and risk mitigation.
[1] Source: Mergermarket and [our website] analysis and event agendas [2] Source: Mergermarket and [our website] analysis [3] Source: Mergermarket and [our website] analysis [4] Source: Mergermarket and [our website] analysis and expert opinions
- In the business world of 2025, technology, particularly AI, is influencing various aspects of M&A, such as due diligence, deal origination, and integration processes, making it crucial for M&A practitioners to adapt and find solutions for cultural alignment and remote workforce management.
- As the third edition of the Global M&A Trends and Risks report illustrates, the M&A landscape in 2025 will be characterized by numerous financial opportunities—yet these will be intertwined with complexities such as securing M&A-related financing, heightened antitrust scrutiny, and evolving merger controls that may impact the various sectors of business.
