Setting the scene
Cross-border mergers and acquisitions (M&A) play a critical role in driving innovation, productivity and growth at both an individual corporate and wider domestic level.
The looming threat of a trade war in recent months has undoubtedly heightened uncertainty around cross-border dealmaking, but the ability to expand into new markets, acquire new capabilities and access critical talent remain powerful drivers for cross-border transactions.
Against a backdrop of intense geopolitical volatility, we set out to understand the critical role that cross-border M&A plays in fostering economic prosperity and explore the fundamental components that make a cross-border deal successful.
Combining a survey of 850 global dealmakers with Bayes Business School’s detailed analysis of 896 cross-border deals completed between 2018 and 2024, we have identified the defining characteristics of successful cross-border M&A, analysed the latest trends by key geographies and sectors and highlighted the benefits that successful global dealmaking can bring to both target and acquirer, as well as the wider economy.