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Global dealmakers 2022: M&A market update
March 16, 2022
A year for the record books as deals hit highest value in over a decade.
As the global economy continues to recover into the third year of the COVID-19 pandemic, the market for M&A is maintaining its upward momentum, with no signs of slowing in 2022.
Baker Tilly’s annual M&A market update, produced in conjunction with M&A intelligence firm, Mergermarket, revealed a remarkable 77% increase in the annual global cross-border deal value in 2021, despite dealmakers facing continual macro uncertainties throughout the year.
More than half of the respondents (53%) in our annual outlook said mid-market deals would drive global M&A in the year ahead – and 2021’s totals are rapidly turning this prediction into a reality.
Mid-market deals accounted for 31% of global transactions in 2021, and with dealmakers’ sights set on mid-cap deals to fast-track growth, this figure is likely to maintain its upward climb.
Key highlights include:
- Global M&A value in 2021: US 5.9 trillion
- Global M&A volume in 2021: 34,128 deals
- 77% increase in annual global cross-border deal value
- 5% increase in annual global cross-border deal volume
- 6% increase in mid-market deals in 2021 compared to 2020
- North America top geography by M&A deal value in 2021
- Asia Pacific top geography by M&A deal volume in 2021
- Tech M&A accounted for 33% of deal value and 36% of deal volume in 2021
- 69% increase in mega deals in 2021