As has been discussed
previously, M&A activity in North America declined in 2016
as compared to 2015. A recent survey published by Toppan Vite and
MergerMarket of 25 top US-based dealmakers regarding North American
M&A in 2016 delves further into the reasons for this
decline.
Roughly half of the respondents to the survey believed that the
M&A market underperformed in 2016 and mainly attributed the
decrease in North American M&A activity to the US presidential
election, the United Kingdom's decision to leave the European
Union (Brexit), the political turmoil in Russia
and Ukraine and depressed oil prices. Survey participants cited
uncertainty surrounding potential amendments to tax codes and trade
agreements that may result from the new US presidential
administration and Brexit as cause for concern, with certain
respondents indicating that they purposely steered investments away
from the European Union and the United Kingdom in light of the
results of the
