A lot more M&A will come with less volatility, more practicality, says Paul Weiss' Robert Kindler

M&A Market Dynamics - Oppenheimer upgraded Microsoft to outperform with a $600 price target, citing AI revenue as a major driver [1] - Early in the year, M&A activity was hindered by market volatility, making it difficult to finalize deals [4][5] - Antitrust scrutiny is perceived to be more pragmatic under the current administration compared to the previous one [6][8] - The current administration is seen as more willing to negotiate and find solutions to get deals approved, contrasting with the prior administration's approach [9] - The market has stabilized from a volatility perspective, leading to expectations of increased M&A activity [9][11] Antitrust and Regulatory Environment - The previous administration was viewed as employing outdated antitrust theories and hindering deal-making [7] - The approval of the T-Mobile deal with Sprint by the current administration is cited as an example of a pragmatic approach that benefits consumers [8] - The Hewlett Packard deal for Juniper, approved with divestitures, demonstrates the current administration's willingness to negotiate [9] - Anti-corporate sentiment was perceived to have influenced antitrust decisions in the past [11][12] - While the current administration is populist and aims to protect consumers, it is also taking a pragmatic approach to antitrust [12][13]