In the wake of the recent US elections, merger and acquisition (M&A) activity is witnessing a notable upswing, with dealmakers orchestrating approximately $35 billion in transactions across sectors such as banking and building materials. This development signals an invigorated finish to the year 2024 for M&A activities globally.
The most prominent of these transactions is based in the United States, where Quikrete Holdings Inc. has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Summit Materials Inc. for approximately $11.5 billion, inclusive of debt. This merger is strategically aimed at expanding Quikrete’s footprint in the U.S. building materials sector, a market buoyed by strong demand and robust construction activity.
Across the Atlantic, the European market is also witnessing significant movement. Italian banking giant UniCredit SpA has tabled a €10 billion ($10.5 billion) all-share offer, marking one of the largest banking deals in Europe this year. This bid is part of a broader trend where financial institutions are consolidating to enhance competitiveness and operational efficiency, amid a challenging economic landscape.
These transactions are unfolding amid projections that global M&A deal values could surpass $3 trillion this year, underscoring the resilience of corporate strategies that rely on mergers and acquisitions as key growth levers. The landscape appears set for a dynamic close to 2024, driven by strategic pursuits in diverse sectors.