Xin Lang Cai Jing·2025-12-22 14:08Core Insights - 2025 is anticipated to be a strong year for IPOs and M&A transactions, with optimism from Wall Street that this growth momentum will continue into the new year [1][3]. M&A Market Performance - The total announced M&A transaction value in 2025 reached $4.8 trillion, marking the highest since 2021 and the second-highest in the past decade [8]. - There were 166 M&A deals exceeding $5 billion, the highest number since 2021, although the total number of deals was the lowest in at least ten years [8]. - The technology sector dominated the M&A market with a transaction value of $1 trillion, accounting for over 20% of the global total, significantly outpacing the healthcare sector [8]. - The resurgence of leveraged buyouts is a key indicator of the M&A market's recovery, with private equity transaction volume reaching $1 trillion, the highest since 2021 [8][11]. - The overall market environment is favorable for continued M&A activity, driven by a need for scale and a more lenient regulatory stance from the Trump administration compared to the Biden administration [12]. IPO Market Performance - In 2025, 1,372 companies successfully went public, raising a total of $170.6 billion, the best performance since 2022, but still significantly lower than the $606.4 billion raised in 2021 [13][16]. - The technology sector was the leading force in the IPO market, representing 29% of the global IPO market, with notable listings from companies like CoreWeave and Figma [16]. - The largest IPO of 2025 was from Medline, a medical supplies provider, raising nearly $6.3 billion, indicating a broader acceptance of various business models in the market [16]. Market Outlook for 2026 - There is a general optimism among investment bankers regarding the market performance in the first half of 2026, with expectations that it will likely continue the strong activity seen in the latter half of 2025 [17][18]. - Communication with clients and the number of ongoing projects for 2026 are at high levels, suggesting a robust pipeline for future transactions [18].