Dykema’s 16th Annual M&A Survey is out, and the results are upbeat — but cautious. COVID-19 is the culprit, of course, but respondents were considerably more positive than this time last year. In a week that began with a stock market tumble fueled by a mixed government response to COVID-19, more than 70% of the nation’s top business executives surveyed said they are essentially optimistic that the market for mergers and acquisitions will strengthen in the next 12 months. The Lawbook has the details.
CDT Roundup: 8 Deals, 55 Lawyers, 5 Firms, $352M
The second week of October recorded the lowest total value for transactions ever recorded by the CDT Roundup. But with two major M&A deals already reported this week, there is absolute certainty that next week’s report will be better.
Mergermarket: Two-Thirds of Law Firms Handled Fewer M&A Deals in 2020
The battle of law firms in Texas for M&A has been turbulent so far this year. Nine of the top 10 firms and 33 of the top 40 firms saw a decline in M&A activity during the first nine months. Kirkland is way down in deal count, but still way ahead of everyone else. Norton Rose Fulbright, McDermott, Porter Hedges and King & Spalding are up.
Haynes and Boone Energy Reports: Lower Bases, Less Credit, More Hedging
Energy companies are likely going to face a new lending environment, even when the nation exits from its current coronavirus woes, according to new reports by Haynes and Boone. Even though prices have stabilized banks are changing the rules, and O&G companies are moving toward greater self-reliance in the process.
CDT Roundup: 14 Deals, 9 Firms, 173 Lawyers, $21.4B
The third quarter of 2020 ended last week, not with a bang, but with increased volume of work for Texas lawyers. The CDT Roundup reports that the deals for the week had heft.
Mergermarket Q3: Value Up, Deal Count Up. And Down.
The Q3 Mergermarket numbers are in. Deals were also up. But also down from last year. Total value was up. But both are well below average and rate poorly against the last 14 years. Allen Pusey has the numbers.
LyondellBasell, Sasol Form $2B J/V in Louisiana; Kirkland, Latham Advise
In a move to reduce debt and consolidate operations, chemical giant Sasol has sold a 50% interest in some of its Louisiana operations to LyondellBasell. Texas lawyers from Kirkland and Latham had a big part in the $2 billion deal.