(4 April 2025 – United States) While Wall Street’s hopes of record deal flow under President Trump have failed to materialise, smaller merger & acquisition (M&A) deal activity is up sharply as sectors such as health and pharma heat up.
While “mega deals” valued at US$10 billion plus have declined by one percent for Q1 year-on-year (YOY), relatively smaller deals are having their best start to the year since the 2021 pandemic-era M&A boom.
Total deal value for transactions in the US$1 billion to US$10 billion range was up 42 percent YOY in Q1 according to data from London Stock Exchange Group (LSEG). The number of deals is up nearly 36 percent.
LSEG also reports dealmaking in Europe and Asia-Pacific (APAC) has increased in 2025, up 12 percent and 59 percent YOY, respectively, though remaining well below 2021 highs.
“There’s a lot moving around the world as well, but you see less volatility. A strong dollar can also push US companies to acquire overseas. Factors unique to individual countries can motivate deal flow as well” commented Morrison Foerster M&A Partner, Michael O’Bryan.