Strategic Alternatives

Jesse Chasse, MD from RBC discusses the revival of tech IPOs, analyzing the challenges faced by software and AI companies. They explore the transition from private to public profits using examples like Uber, and offer valuable advice for founders and investors on navigating the current tech investment landscape.

Looming elections are likely to be a barrier to M&A deal activity beyond September. But deal activity across non-banking areas of the sector remains robust, and attendees at RBC Capital Markets’ Financial Institutions Conference suggest a positive sentiment. Vinnie Badinehal, Head of Financial Institutions, and Jason Braunstein, Head of Financial Institutions M&A, assess the sector’s progress.

Vinnie Badinehal and Jason Braunstein discuss the outlook for financial sector M&A in 2024, focusing on challenges like interest rates and regulators' responses. They also explore the resilience of the finance sector amidst economic challenges and the strategic role of M&A in achieving market advantage.

Exploring the impact of consumer behavior, inflation, interest rates on retailers. How major corporations are enhancing customer experiences with technology. Challenges faced by retailers to stay competitive amidst widening gap. Analyzing market trends and CEO insights for strategic decision-making.

Consolidation may be the theme of 2024 for retail’s most fragmented sectors. But how will the regulatory atmosphere, the U.S. election and geopolitical tensions affect potential deals? Douglas Trauber, Global Head of Consumer and Retail, and Hugh Paisley, Co-Head, U.S. Consumer and Retail Investing, join to identify high-activity sectors and assess the external challenges retailers face.

Exploring the factors impacting private equity M&A environment and expectations for 2024. Insights on global M&A trends, challenges in US M&A market, take-private volume increases. Impact of limited sponsor bid presence, exit strategies, interest rate impacts on leverage buyouts. Discussing market recovery, asset valuation, and strategic timing for M&A activities.

Exploring the return of traditional financing in private equity M&A, potential sectors leading deal activity, exit strategies maximizing sale proceeds, the role of private credit in financing, sector opportunities in the private equity market, and anticipation of increased transaction volume and market optimism for 2024.

Exploring the rebound of equity markets in 2024, with a focus on market trends, optimistic outlook for global IPOs, convertible market analysis, Australia's sector trends, and European business refocusing.

Discussion on M&A trends in 2024, including interest rate environment, revised expectations, and early buyers. Exploring shift in sellers' expectations, consolidation in the tech industry, IPO market state, antitrust challenges, and consolidation in the Canadian energy sector.

There are widespread expectations that UK and EU inflation will hit target levels in 2024 – yet many obstacles remain. Peter Schaffrik, Chief European Macro Strategist and Cathal Kennedy, UK Senior Economist analyze the inflationary outlook, prospects for European growth, and how the effects of interest rate rises are still playing out across the continent