2021 has turned into a blockbuster year for the capital markets. Not only has the year been a boon for the public markets, but dealmakers in the private markets have continued to ink transactions at a record-breaking pace. Following the strongest first and second quarter seen in years, mergers and acquisitions (M&A) continued to experience high transaction volume and deal value while maintaining a steady rate of large transactions during the third quarter of the year.
In addition to the sheer number of deals taking place, increased activity in large transactions continues to facilitate a high-multiple environment. The coupling of ample cash and debt availability and the pressure to deploy those funds continues to push valuations to new heights. This pressure to close deals in a highly competitive market has pushed investors to implement new tactics, such as moving faster to close deals, enhancing equity options, and paying higher multiples, to name a few.
If you are thinking, “how much better can it get?,” most professionals will tell you they expect a record-setting Q4 2021 as timelines have generally been condensed by the adoption of virtual meetings and owners’ efforts to try and outrun tax uncertainty.
Yet despite record levels of deal value and activity, sidelined capital continues to accumulate at all-time highs.
