How are dealmakers adapting to trade tensions and regulatory uncertainty?
hbspt.forms.create({
portalId: “20888593”,
formId: “7d557efa-f324-4e8e-9611-9f5345857111”,
region: “na1”
});
Annual report
Global M&A Trends and Risks Report 2025
What’s in this report from Norton Rose Fulbright & Mergermarket:
Norton Rose Fulbright’s third annual report on trends and risks in the global mergers and acquisitions market, conducted jointly with Mergermarket, reveals how dealmakers are recalibrating strategies amid unprecedented trade volatility and regulatory shifts. Based on a survey of 200 top-level executives from multinational corporations, private equity firms and investment banks, the report captures how the April 2025 tariff announcements dramatically altered M&A sentiment and reshaped deal dynamics across regions.
Key insights from the research:
- Over two-thirds of respondents say trade tensions have decreased their M&A appetite, marking a stark reversal from early-year optimism when 53% expected increased deal activity.
- AI integration is accelerating rapidly, with 51% of executives having acquired an AI business and 46% actively seeking acquisitions in the sector, up from just 33% in 2024.
- Private credit is…
