Dealmakers see rebound after global M&A volumes hit decade-low

Mergers and acquisitions (M&A) activity fell to its lowest level in ten years globally in 2023, as high interest rates and an economic slowdown weighed on companies' dealmaking confidence, but bankers and lawyers expect a pick-up as conditions improve. Total M&A volumes fell 18% to about $3 trillion, according to the most recent data from Dealogic, the lowest since 2013 when deal volumes were at $2.8 trillion. Dealmakers blamed high interest rates, which made it more expensive for private equity firms and companies with low credit ratings to raise acquisition financing.