Our annual Global M&A Intelligence Report is based on an analysis of key deal terms in over 2,000 private M&A transactions on which we advised since 2015.

For the ninth successive year we were number one for global M&A deal volume. We also advised on the most European Private Equity buyout and exit deals in 2018.

Our report includes analysis and commentary on the following key topics: 

  • Typical transaction structures and deal processes used globally.
  • The impact that an auction process has on the legal terms of a sale and the apportionment of liability between buyers and sellers.
  • Who wins the auction game and how they do it.
  • What pricing mechanisms are used and the impact of geography.
  • How Private Equity behaves when buying and selling and how this differs to the approach taken by trade.
  • Typical earn-out terms.
  • MAC provisions and the general apportionment of risk in a conditional deal.
  • What is market for seller protections - caps, baskets, claim periods.
  • The impact of M&A insurance on deal terms.

Read the overview of the Global M&A Intelligence Report 2019

The content of this article is intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought about your specific circumstances.