Globally, the easing of key economic and political risks and the emergence of positive macroeconomic deal drivers will accelerate global deal activity in 2018, after a period of apprehension for global dealmakers earlier this year. "However it's not a done deal, with the threat of a Hard Brexit and a NAFTA collapse both still very real. The forecast also predicts the number of M&A deals to rise to 390 in 2018, from 255 this year, with the value of these deals jumping from US$6.1 billion in 2017 to $13.1 billion in 2018, and US$15.2 billion in 2019. Meanwhile, the value of Malaysian IPOs is set to peak at US$2.74 billion in 2019. Overall, Asia Pacific M&A activity is forecast to peak at US$754 billion and domestic IPOs at US$82 billion in 2019.

Source: New Strait Times December 20, 2017 06:45 UTC