"Activity should recover in 2018, as greater certainty emerges about the U.K.'s new relationship with the EU and the rest of the world." "Looking forward, we expect weaker economic growth in the U.K. and uncertainty about the relationship U.K. companies will have with the rest of Europe to dampen M&A activity," Baker McKenzie said. Britain's decision in June to the leave the 28-nation EU may also permanently diminish the country's attractiveness for cross-border initial public stock offerings, Baker McKenzie said. "U.K. listings have been popular among non-European companies in the U.S., Canada and Australia seeking to tap into European capital markets," the firm said. "But this position is at risk both from a regulatory perspective and the risk of further currency volatility as the UK detaches from Europe."

Source: New York Times January 16, 2017 04:43 UTC