Navigating the Current M&A Cycle, Regulatory Impacts, and 2025 Market Dynamics for Corporate Development Leaders

Joe Mantone, U.S. Financial Institutions News Desk Manager at S&P Global Market Intelligence (NYSE: SPGI)   The M&A market isn’t what it used to be. Deal volumes are rising, but they remain a shadow of the record highs of 2021. Add to this the challenges of regulatory hurdles, high interest rates, and uneven global recovery. Corporate development leaders are left asking: where do we go from here?   In this episode of the M&A Science Podcast, Joe Mantone of S&P Global Market Intelligence unpacks the latest trends, challenges, and opportunities in the M&A cycle. You’ll learn the latest insights to stay ahead in a volatile market and prepare for the opportunities 2025 promises to bring.   Things you will learn: The state of M&A, recovering from the 2022 downturn How regulatory challenges are reshaping deal strategies What corporate leaders need to know about private equity and credit trends The rise of AI and sector-specific opportunities for 2025 Actionable advice for corporate development teams in a volatile market ******************* This episode is sponsored by S&P Global Market Intelligence. Find insight at every data point with the enhanced S&P Capital IQ Pro platform. It’s the leading data solution for strategics and investors alike. Visit spglobal.com/proinsights. DealRoom AI also sponsors this episode. DealRoom AI accelerates the due diligence process by automating the extraction and analysis of key information from M&A documents, reducing contract analysis time by up to 80%. Trusted by leading M&A practitioners, this tool streamlines reviews, minimizes risk, and saves legal costs significantly. For more details, visit the DealRoom AI page today. ******************* Episode Timestamps 00:00 Intro 06:03 Current state of the M&A market 07:45 Distinguishing the current M&A downturn 08:51 Factors driving global M&A 10:14 M&A blindspots to lookout for 12:38 How Fed rate cuts will affect M&A 13:38 Financing M&A deals in a changing market 15:22 Investor sentiment and the future of IPOs 16:17 Impact of market volatility on corporate M&A 17:12 Cross-border M&A: Lessons from Asia Pacific and Europe M&A Activity 20:19 How to prepare for the heightened regulatory scrutiny 21:43 Strategies for mitigating regulatory risks 22:24 M&A insights from earnings calls 23:53 Increased investment banking recruiting 24:48 Practical takeaways for corporate M&A teams 25:40 The future of M&A: Trends to watch in 2025 28:13 Emerging sectors for 2025 29:55 Craziest thing in M&A