Here’s a comprehensive overview of global mergers and acquisitions (M&A) activity in April 2025, highlighting key transactions, sector trends, and the broader market context.
📉 Global M&A Activity: April 2025 Snapshot
- Deal Volume & Value: Global M&A deal value plummeted to $243 billion, marking a 54% decline from March and reaching a 20-year low in deal signings. The U.S. recorded only 555 M&A contracts, the fewest since May 2009. Reuters
- Impact of U.S. Tariffs: President Trump’s sweeping tariffs announced on April 2, dubbed “Liberation Day,” significantly disrupted deal-making. The resulting market volatility led bankers to advise clients to delay deals and IPOs due to policy uncertainty. Financier Worldwide+3Reuters+3The Times+3
- Private Equity (PE) Landscape: Despite holding an estimated $1.2 trillion in uninvested capital, PE firms faced challenges in executing deals due to rising interest rates and valuation mismatches. Global deal numbers and values declined by 15% year-on-year, although U.S. deal value rose to $31.9 billion. Financial News London
🔍 Notable M&A Deals in April 2025
| Deal | Value | Sector | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Global Payments Inc. acquires Worldpay, LLC | $24.25B | Fintech | One of the largest deals of the month. |
| KKR acquires OSTTRA | $3.1B | Financial Services | Acquisition of a post-trade services venture from S&P Global and CME Group. |
| KKR consortium acquires Assura plc | £1.6B | Real Estate | UK-listed real estate company; deal subject to regulatory and shareholder approval. |
| Columbia Banking System acquires Pacific Premier Bancorp | $2.04B | Banking | Largest U.S. bank M&A deal announced since 2021. |
| Eastern Bankshares acquires HarborOne Bancorp | $481.8M | Banking | Second-largest U.S. bank M&A deal announced in April. |
| DoorDash acquires Deliveroo | $3.9B | Food Delivery | Significant consolidation in the food delivery sector. |
| DoorDash acquires Sevenrooms | $1.2B | Hospitality Tech | Expansion into hospitality technology. |
| 3G Capital acquires Skechers | $9.4B | Consumer Goods | Major acquisition in the footwear industry. |
| Macquarie sells asset management units to Nomura | $1.8B | Asset Management | Sale of U.S. and European public asset management businesses. |
📊 Sector-Specific Trends
Technology
- Resilience Amidst Turmoil: Technology deals dominated due to their reliance on intangible assets less affected by tariffs. Notable transactions include Global Payments’ acquisition of Worldpay and KKR’s acquisition of OSTTRA. Reuters
Banking
- Surge in Deal Value: Nine U.S. bank deals totaling $2.92 billion were announced in April, marking the highest monthly total by aggregate deal value since December 2021. The Columbia-PacPremier deal accounted for approximately 70% of this value. S&P Global
Private Equity
- Cautious Optimism: Despite a challenging environment, investment banks are expanding services in infrastructure and private credit, aiming to gain market share amid a talent shortage. PE firms are betting on a long-term rebound, with expectations of recovery in the second half of 2025. Financial News London
Food Industry
- Tariff-Induced Slowdown: M&A activity in the food sector has fallen year-over-year as trade and tariff policies have created high levels of uncertainty. However, distributors are well-positioned for growth moving forward. Capstone Partners
📈 Summary Table: April 2025 M&A Overview
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Global M&A Deal Value | $243 billion (↓54% from March) |
| U.S. M&A Contracts Signed | 555 (20-year low) |
| Private Equity Dry Powder | $1.2 trillion |
| U.S. Bank M&A Deal Value | $2.92 billion |
| Largest Deal | Global Payments’ $24.25B acquisition of Worldpay |
April 2025 was marked by significant disruptions in the M&A landscape, primarily due to geopolitical tensions and economic uncertainties stemming from new U.S. tariffs. While certain sectors like technology and banking showed resilience, overall deal activity experienced a notable decline.Financial News London
