WilmerHale – M&A Report, 2024

The 2023 M&A market was impacted by the Federal Reserve's interest rate hikes, economic uncertainty, regulatory challenges, and geopolitical tensions, leading to a 20% decrease in reported transactions globally and a 22% decrease in deal value. The United States saw a 24% decline in deal volume, Europe saw a 24% decrease in transactions, and the Asia-Pacific region experienced a 6% dip in deal volume. In specific sectors, the life sciences sector saw a decrease in transaction volume but an increase in deal value, while the financial services sector experienced a decrease in both deal volume and value. Telecommunications saw a decrease in transaction volume but an increase in deal value, particularly in the US market. Overall, the M&A market in 2023 was challenging due to various factors, leading to decreases in deal volume and value across major geographic regions and sectors.