Transactions
The value of everything
19 Mar 2025
Insight
Global
In our global M&A report for 2025, we forecast deals activity increasing throughout the year, but with the hard work which characterised so many deals in 2024 likely to continue.
We also explored:
- How buyers are financing deals amid high interest rates.
- The ways buyers have increased due diligence on target businesses.
- The increasing regulatory burden on M&A transactions.
- How shareholder activism is affecting deals.
- The increasing sophistication of deal terms.
- How geopolitical tensions are shaping the deals landscape.
We also shared regional perspectives from our teams around the world in which we looked at regional trends in M&A and the outlook for 2025.
In this chapter, you can read our sector and broader perspectives.
Chapters
- Global M&A Outlook 2025 – Sector and broader perspectives
- AI and M&A – What you need to know
- Automotive – Challenges remain
- Competition, regulation and trade – Regulatory focus on ‘killer acquisitions’
- Consumer – Still cautious
- Cybersecurity – Deal resurgence
- Energy – What you need to know from around the world
- Infrastructure— How to bridge the gap?
- Mining – The energy transition and demand for critical minerals continue to drive activity
- Pharma – Will 2025 be the year?
- Real Estate — Encouraging signs
- Tax – Change ahead?
- Tech Innovation – To buy or to collaborate?
- TMT and digital infrastructure — AI drives activity
- Venture and growth capital — Brightening horizons
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Legal Notice
The contents of this publication are for reference purposes only and may not be current as at the date of accessing this publication. They do not constitute legal advice and should not be relied upon as such. Specific legal advice about your specific circumstances should always be sought separately before taking any action based on this publication.
© Herbert Smith Freehills 2025
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