M&A Insights
Report
M&A Annual Report: Is the wave finally arriving?
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Powerful forces favor a resurgence in M&A, especially in North America, but dealmakers still have plenty of challenges to stare down.
Article
When separating businesses, people are the key to unleashing value
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By developing strong operating models, matching talent to the right roles, and clearly articulating the “why,” separation leaders can ensure that existing and new businesses thrive.
Article
How private equity funds can use M&A to create outsize returns
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PE funds increasingly invest in add-on deals to grow faster and perform better, but how they go about executing such deals has changed.
Interview
HR leaders’ role in M&A: An interview with Lisa Blair Davis
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The global head of HR for Johnson & Johnson MedTech explains why HR’s presence is critical in all phases of dealmaking.
Article
Gen AI: Opportunities in M&A
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Generative AI is already making its way into the day-to-day world of M&A, and more use cases are emerging. How should companies approach the opportunity?
M&A Strategy & Due Diligence
Article
Uncertainty in M&A: Postcards from the new normal
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Unprecedented shocks are affecting M&A activity and dealmaker behavior. Different analyses help bring uncertainty into focus—and...
Article
CEOs in M&A: Five actions only the chief executive can take
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McKinsey research and interviews with global leaders reveal the activities and discussions that CEOs should be directly involved...
Article
Gen AI: Opportunities in M&A
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Generative AI is already making its way into the day-to-day world of M&A, and more use cases are emerging. How should companies...
Article
The portfolio management imperative and its M&A implications
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Several trends are creating a new imperative for strong portfolio management of businesses. Companies need six capabilities to...
Integration
Article
Why managing culture is critical for value creation in M&A
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Executives can take three important actions to integrate parent and target company cultures more smoothly and generate the intended...
Article
Retain, integrate, thrive: A strategy for managing talent during M&A transactions
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Keeping top talent in the fold and engaged before, during, and after a large deal closes is critical for creating value from...
Article
The culture compass: Using early insights to guide integration planning
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The huge impact of culture on M&A performance means that culture should be factored into integration planning from the start....
Interview
How an acquisition invigorated an asset management leader
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Jenny Johnson, president and CEO of Franklin Templeton, explains how the firm’s acquisition of Legg Mason positions it...
Separations & IPOs
Article
When separating businesses, people are the key to unleashing value
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By developing strong operating models, matching talent to the right roles, and clearly articulating the “why,” separation...
Article
What it takes to make separations a competitive difference-maker
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Companies that are effective at separations can significantly outperform their peers. Our latest survey highlights the opportunities,...
Article - McKinsey Quarterly
The power of goodbye: How carve-outs can unleash value
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Separations can be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to create value for the remaining and separated companies. The secret? Get...
Article - McKinsey Quarterly
When bigger isn’t always better
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The recent spate of spin-off announcements reveals the limits of diversification as well as some of the potential value-creating...
Joint Ventures & Alliances
Article
Technology, media, and telecommunications: Software deals and creative partnerships will carry the day
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Multiple trends will likely fuel M&A growth across technology, media, and telecommunications in 2025, with an increase in...
Article
Checking the health of your business partnerships
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Frequent, systematic assessments of joint ventures and alliances can reveal hidden problems and opportunities to create more...
Article
Improving the management of complex business partnerships
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Adhering to four key principles can help companies increase the odds that their collaborations will create more value over their...
Sector-focused insight
Article
Global energy and materials: Overall deal value remains stable, but some segments are gaining share
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A range of factors suggests an increase in M&A activity among energy and materials companies in 2025, despite uncertainties...
Article
Financial services: Dealmakers adapt to a shifting landscape
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In 2024, deals mostly stayed within national borders. In 2025, banking, wealth and asset management, fintech, payments, and...
Article
Life sciences: Primed for an increase
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M&A activity in the life science sector fell in 2024, but several factors, including pent-up demand and the state of companies’...
Article
Technology, media, and telecommunications: Software deals and creative partnerships will carry the day
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Multiple trends will likely fuel M&A growth across technology, media, and telecommunications in 2025, with an increase in...
Article
Advanced industries: New technologies and supply chain shifts are driving key portfolio and investment decisions
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A number of trends, including reduced interest rates and the emergence of new technologies, software, and ecosystems, point to...
Article
Consumer goods: Seeking market expansion and growth
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The broad downward trend of interest rates, coupled with consumer-packaged-goods companies’ cash-rich balance sheets, could lead...
Article
Travel, logistics, and infrastructure: Firms are finding opportunities in technology, changing consumer demographics, and global trade
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M&A among travel companies has been soft, but travel dynamics are changing, presenting growth opportunities. In logistics,...
Article
Dealmaking through challenges: Lessons from the automotive industry
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Sometimes, M&A can pose particularly difficult challenges. The automotive industry offers creative examples of how deals...