Introduction

Hear the discussion on how public policy factors into current deals.

Key points:

• Increasing antitrust scrutiny is extending M&A deal timelines and heightening the need to focus on certainty of closure.
• A lag in valuations means smaller tech companies are turning to big tech buyers, though these are the deals under closest scrutiny.
• Private equity is well positioned financially but deals in this space should also increasingly come under the regulatory microscope.
• Shareholder activism has returned after a pandemic lull; companies with a sound, articulated strategy are best placed to handle this well.