After two subdued years, things are looking up for international M&A. The grey clouds are clearing, and although geopolitical uncertainties remain, the skies ahead look bluer than they have in some time.

Advisers are optimistic that M&A markets will pick up this year due to pent up demand and stabilising economic conditions. This cautious optimism is the focus of this year's M&A Yearbook. Featuring legal insight and commentary from experts across the international M&A landscape, Legal 500's 2024 edition explores current market conditions and trends that have emerged over the past 12 months.

Why there are blue skies ahead

Emma Danks, Head of our UK Corporate group and Co-head of our International Corporate group, introduces this year's Yearbook. In a short piece she shares why she believes deal activity will pick up in the second half of this year, the deal trends she's seen recently, and the sectors she believes will be most active over the next few years.

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Getting exit ready

In this article, Emma Danks, Suzy Davis and Siobhán Langwade outline the key areas you should focus on to prepare for a sales process and explain how getting your house in order will make you a more attractive option for acquirers.

They cover:

• the types of buyers who are active in the UK market

• key areas to focus on in legal due diligence 

• transaction-specific considerations to get deals over the line.

Read the full piece

Avoiding bad AI investments

In the wake of recent advances in generative artificial intelligence (AI), harnessing AI’s potential has shot to the top of the board agenda. No one wants to miss out on this transformative technology – but businesses need to make sure FOMO doesn't lead them into a bad investment. In this article, Jonny Bethell and Jo Joyce explore the pitfalls to avoid when making an AI acquisition, covering:

• current AI-related deal activity 

• what AI-driven businesses they expect to be sought-after acquisition targets 

• areas to pay close attention to in due diligence for AI-related acquisitions.

Read the full piece

Also included

The 2024 Yearbook includes articles on a variety of other topical issues including:

• an in-depth look at the £15 billion merger between Vodafone UK and Three UK 

• how City partners manage the mental stresses of transactional work 

• how US firms are getting deals done amidst the US antitrust crackdown 

• the M&A transaction markets of the Philippines, Belgium and Argentina.

To download the full publication, please use the link below.

Download the 2024 M&A Yearbook