The M&A Diet: Only the Billionaires Joined the Dealmaking Buffet

Looks like the dealmaking world hit a bit of a slow patch in Q2 this year - we're seeing the fewest deals in about 10 years (if we don't count those early pandemic months). Only around 10,900 deals were announced through June, which is quite the hunger strike!

Isn't it interesting how expectations don't always match reality? Many dealmakers thought a more conservative White House would open the smorgasbord for takeovers, but those "liberation day" tariffs announced in April and the tricky situations in the Middle East have kept everyone playing it safe.

The good news? While fewer deals are happening, the big ones are still stirring the pot! The total value stayed steady at an impressive $969 billion, thanks to some really exciting megadeals. Think Cox scooping up Charter Communications for $35 billion and that massive $33 billion Toyota subsidiary deal!

Private equity folks are tightening their belts a bit more though - their deal diet dropped from about 2,500 in Q1 to around 1,850 in Q2. They're having to get creative with how they serve up their transactions these days.

The silver lining? Many advisers are feeling optimistic about what's coming next! One expert compared it to the early pandemic days when everyone initially froze but then jumped back in once they adjusted to the new normal. So don't worry - once companies get comfortable with the current menu, we might see that deal energy pick right back up again!

#arbitrage #mergers