The first edition of BDO Horizons 2021, which analyses global mid-market activity across a number of major regions and sectors around the world, is now live. Each quarter our BDO Global colleagues provide expert commentary on how the M&A world is evolving, recent trends and predictions for the coming year.
In issue 1 of 2021 we take a close look to an M&A world heavily impacted by COVID-19.
In many ways, it feels like not much has changed with new lock-downs, travel restrictions and remote working to help combat high levels of infections. It is also remarkable how despite all the turmoil and uncertainty businesses have been able to Rethink their way of working, be it manufacturing products in a safe environment or delivering services in a safe and more technology enabled way.
M&A activity has followed a similar pattern, with a big fall in Q2 last year as many deals went on hold and the start of a recovery in Q3. By Q4, the speed and momentum of the recovery exceeded our expectations and we start 2021 with the prospects for a strong year of M&A activity.
In the UK & Ireland, there was a stronger than anticipated rebound in mid-market M&A activity in Q4 2020 which looks set to continue into 2021. Although deal activity was the lowest recorded since the 2009 recession in both volume and value terms, the last quarter of 2020 saw an unprecedented rebound of 93% uptick by value and 61% uptick by volume of closed deals between Q3 2020 and Q4 2020. The UK & Ireland remains an attractive region for international overseas investors, with eight out of the 10 top mid-market deals by size in Q4 2020 involving overseas bidders.
Download Issue 1 – 2021 below to find out more.
This issue also brings you up to date commentary on deal activity levels, active sectors and regions and provides in-depth analysis on potential activity in the next few months.
- Global view – M&A Market recovery, resilience and adapting to new ways of doing deals
- Special feature – Turning the page on a tumultuous year
- North America – M&A continues rebound
- Greater China – Deal activity surges as economy bounces back
- UK & Ireland – Hope as deal volume and value bounce back
- Logistics and Supply Chain management – Industry reset is accelerating M&A
- Technology Mid-Market – Continued rise or reset?
In a global market of bewildering activity and endless choices, we provide some of the context necessary to navigate it.
Content adapted from BDO.
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