M&A Market Monitor report

Since our last M&A Market Monitor Report in 2018 we have seen new and unexpected factors shaping the UK M&A market. The Covid-19 pandemic and our transition out of the EU has meant transactions have had to be carefully structured to anticipate both likely and unknown risks.

Our M&A Market Monitor report 2021 draws comparisons between the key legal issues negotiated on the acquisition and disposal of private companies before and since the pandemic began.

In the report we reveal the surprising level of deal activity in the retail and consumer goods sector, consider the short-term reduction in deals involving overseas entities, review the move in terms highlighting a buyer’s market, and make our predictions for the coming months as we move beyond the pandemic.

Date published

19 March 2021

“After a brief pause at the outset of the pandemic, transaction activity roared back and we all adapted quickly to new ways of working, adjusted processes and deal terms, accelerated timescales and embraced the ability for tech to transform how we transact. Our report highlights the changes we’ve seen to key deal issues and terms as the market leaned back towards buyers and valuations were scrutinised.”
Andrew Webber - Partner, head of Corporate