Despite headwinds blowing in the face of the Chinese economy in 2021 – including a major downturn in the real estate market, continued, if sporadic, COVID outbreaks and falling retail sales and consumer confidence – the M&A market withstood the buffeting.

After the economic dislocation of the pandemic, an acceleration in shareholder activism is on the horizon, according to a new report published by Skadden in association with Activistmonitor and Mergermarket.

After the devastating impact of Covid-19 in 2020, Latin America, and especially Brazil, saw a major resurgence in the M&A market in 2021, with a seven-fold rise in value.

Iberian M&A turns around in 2021 as corporates and private equity alike return to the peninsula

The DACH region handled the worst of the pandemic with a welcome sense of composure. Well-run public healthcare and a generally high rate of trust in government helped curtail the direst consequences of the crisis, especially in Germany, the region’s key economy.

Post-pandemic, the region has been slower to recuperate than others. But this has not discouraged global buyers from seeking out tempting high-growth assets

Assets in China and Hong Kong are garnering attention from domestic players with an eye to growth and consolidation, while international dealmakers hunt for regional footholds

The region’s long-standing resilience in the face of crisis and promise of a robust return to growth sees buyers from far and wide targeting valuable DACH assets

Hard-hit by the COVID-19 crisis, Spain and Portugal are showing signs of recovery, underpinned by international interest and high-growth, innovative segments of the energy sector

The future looks promising for a region replete with attractive technology assets, a burgeoning domestic PE scene, and a deserved reputation for staying composed in difficult times

The pandemic, Brexit and political uncertainty hit the UK hard in 2020 but the M&A market has remained resilient throughout with the remainder of 2021 looking particularly robust

M&A in the Benelux region has made a major comeback in 2021 and the remain of the year looks very promising with the energy sector a potential hotspot

Dealmakers: Mid-market M&A in Australia 1H21 market update, published in association with Pitcher Partners, dives into the trends and challenges shaping Australian M&A and the mid-market as dealmakers prepare for a promising second half of 2021.

Poland, private equity and the potential within the technology sector are driving dealmaking in the region and the prospects for the rest of 2021 and beyond look bright

Global dealmakers series 2021 - Deal breakers and opportunity makers: The rise of ESG in M&A, published in association with Baker Tilly International, dives into the trends around ESG priorities and opportunities as the world emerges from the depths of the pandemic.

A survey of 50 investment funds, pension funds, investment banks and sponsors reveals that investors are more focused on ESG issues than ever before