M&A 2019 Annual Review

Global Activity G lobal M&A value in 2019 lagged behind 2018 numbers for much of the year, but a surge of deals in the fourth quarter drove value to $3.9 trillion, just 3% lower than 2018, making 2019 the fourth biggest year for M&A since 1980. M&A value rose for deals in the United States and Japan, but fell for deals in Europe and the rest of Asia. Healthcare, technology, and energy were the most active sectors, accounting for about half the overall volume. 1 KEY M&A TRENDS FOR 2020 Global M&A made another strong showing in 2019, as stock markets, while at times bumpy, rose to new highs, private equity firms raised record funds, and companies searched for growth and ways to address technological and other disruptions. The performance was all the more impressive given fears of potential recessions or stock pull-backs in various markets, increasing trade disputes, heightened national security and competition concerns, and other challenges. Source: www.mergermarket.com Global Quarterly Breakdown Trend 2018–2019 1 MORRISON & FOERSTER 2019 M&A ANNUAL REVIEW