Out IN Front:
The Insider’s Guide to M&A Trends
Private
Equity
Advisory
Corporate
Development
In what country
do you work?
41%
48%
11%
It’s becoming increasingly important for acquirers of international businesses to be advised by experts who are well versed in the region of the company they are acquiring. How would you prioritize the importance of being knowledgeable of these variables, ranking them from 1 – 4 (with 1 being the highest priority)?
Legal and regulatory compliance requirements
Legal
51%
6%
12%
Finance
At the mid-year, Chinese inbound investment to the U.S., after 15 years of growth, had dropped over 90 percent, while Europe saw a five percent increase. Growing scrutiny of potential transactions that threaten national security along with heightened tariff and trade restriction levels in the U.S. have redirected China’s FDI to other markets. If trade and security issues were to be resolved today, how long do you estimate it will take for China’s investment in the U.S. to return to 2017’s record levels?
What is your job role?
Less interested in making cross-border acquisitions in 2019
3-5 years
1-2 years
6-10 years
15%
9%
7%
Other
USA
UK
Canada
Italy
Romania
Australia
Poland
Portugal
Rest of the world
48%
5%
4%
4%
3%
2%
2%
2%
30%
Given the extensive range of variables to be considered, it’s been suggested that cross-border deals require more time and attention than domestic transactions. Has that been your experience?
0%
Considerably less time
Moderately less time
Same amount of time
Moderately more time
Considerably more time
5%
14%
47%
34%
As an investor, I am:
Equally interested in making cross-border acquisitions in 2019
More interested in making cross-border acquisitions in 2019
Expecting to advise fewer cross-border acquisitions in 2019
Expecting to advise the same quantity of cross-border acquisitions in 2019
Expecting to advise more cross-border acquisitions in 2019
41%
48%
11%
As an advisor, I am:
3.24
2.46
2.1
2.33
Cultural and communication norms
Labor and employment controls
Tax and accounting rulings
0.5
1
1.5
2
2.5
3
3.5
4
22%
67%
11%
In the era of re-globalization, industry, trade and investment bodies can play an increasingly important role in identifying and qualifying potential M&A targets and professionals. How important are international associations, commerce groups, think tanks and trade events to foster more successful cross-border M&A?
15%
52%
33%
Important
Moderately Important
Not Important