Aon/Mergermarket M&A Study Finds Reasons for Optimism but Headwinds Persist in Wake of COVID-19 Pandemic: Aon plc

2022 JUN 27 (NewsRx) -- By a News Reporter-Staff News Editor at CDC & FDA Daily -- Aon plc (NYSE: AON), a leading global professional services firm, and Mergermarket, a provider of intelligence, data and analysis of global M&A, released the latest edition of their global M&A Risk in Review report. The report suggests that last year’s resurgence of M&A activity can be somewhat sustained, albeit perhaps not at the record levels seen in 2021, with dealmakers looking forward to future transactions as they seek opportunities amid recovering global growth and pursue digital transformation. The outlook is particularly strong for M&A in sectors such as Technology, Media and Telecom (TMT) and in the Asia Pacific region.

“Even after the recent intense period of record M&A activity, dealmakers still maintain a healthy pipeline with cash at unprecedented levels,” said Alistair Lester, global co-CEO of M&A and Transaction Solutions at Aon. “They are, however, faced with serious headwinds and new forms of volatility including geopolitical uncertainty driving inflation and interest rate increases, the acceleration of the digital economy, a constantly changing tax landscape, sophisticated cyber threats, heightened scrutiny of environmental, social and governance programs and a challenging talent market that puts pressure on people programs and integration.”

Gary Blitz, global co-CEO of M&A and Transaction Solutions at Aon, added, “In today’s environment, it is critical for both strategic and private equity dealmakers to take a wide view to mitigate exposures and make better decisions when approaching financial, tax, legal and other risks. Dealmakers are encouraged to identify opportunities throughout the deal lifecycle to secure their assets and enhance their returns as well as examine how transactional insurance solutions can help improve transaction structures and take certain contingencies off the table for buyers and sellers.”

From increased investment in technology and financial due diligence to the growing prominence of Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) standards, trends and priorities are emerging for investors trying to navigate uncertainties related to, among others, geopolitics, government regulation and COVID-19 pandemic-related disruptions. M&A Risk in Review explores these dynamics in detail, reporting on investors’ expectations for global M&A over the next 12 months, standout sectors, the key risks they see - and how best to mitigate them.

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