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We publish our annual M&A report to help business leaders get better at M&A.

In 2024, deal value was historically low as a percentage of global GDP, but we are optimistic for the year ahead as M&A and divestitures will be critical tools for companies navigating technology disruption, a post-globalization economy, and the inevitable shifting profit pools.

A big reason for our optimism is seeing first-hand how companies have pursued M&A despite three years of headwinds, including high interest rates and regulatory scrutiny. Among the big adjustments: New deal economics pushed many buyers to prioritize rapid value creation, pursuing both revenue and cost synergies in tandem. We also saw a fundamental shift to scale M&A, especially in industries with high fixed costs. Any easing of those headwinds will only fuel further dealmaking momentum.

Read on to learn how the best companies are adapting to today’s M&A market by industry, trends by market, and how they’re deploying generative AI to improve M&A capabilities.

We publish our annual M&A report to help business leaders get better at M&A.

In 2024, deal value was historically low as a percentage of global GDP, but we are optimistic for the year ahead as M&A and divestitures will be critical tools for companies navigating technology disruption, a post-globalization economy, and the inevitable shifting profit pools.

A big reason for our optimism is seeing first-hand how companies have pursued M&A despite three years of headwinds, including high interest rates and regulatory scrutiny. Among the big adjustments: New deal economics pushed many buyers to prioritize rapid value creation, pursuing both revenue and cost synergies in tandem. We also saw a fundamental shift to scale M&A, especially in industries with high fixed costs. Any easing of those headwinds will only fuel further dealmaking momentum.

Read on to learn how the best companies are adapting to today’s M&A market by industry, trends by market, and how they’re deploying generative AI to improve M&A capabilities.

Les Baird

Leader of Bain’s M&A and Divestitures Practice

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