Core Insights - Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom and Kirkland & Ellis lead the M&A advisory rankings in the consumer sector for the first nine months of the year, with Skadden topping the value of transactions and Kirkland advising on the most deals [1][3]. Group 1: Transaction Value - Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom advised on deals worth a cumulative $31.1 billion in the consumer sector [2]. - A&O Shearman ranked second in transaction value, advising on $23.48 billion worth of deals [4]. - Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison and Stibbe both ranked third, with a combined deal value of $23.1 billion [4]. Group 2: Deal Volume - Kirkland & Ellis advised on 23 transactions, leading in deal volume [2]. - Latham & Watkins ranked second in deal volume with 14 transactions [4]. - Baker McKenzie followed with 12 transactions, while A&O Shearman and CMS both advised on 11 [4]. Group 3: Year-on-Year Performance - Skadden's ranking by value improved from third position in Q1 to Q3 of 2024, despite a year-on-year drop in total deal value during Q1-Q3 2025 [3]. - The firm maintained a significant lead over peers in terms of value due to several large deals [3]. Group 4: Data Source and Methodology - GlobalData's league tables are based on real-time tracking of company and advisory firm websites, with a team of analysts gathering detailed information on each deal [5]. - The data is further validated through submissions from leading advisers to ensure robustness [5].

Core Insights - JP Morgan and Houlihan Lokey ranked first in two league tables for M&A activity in the consumer sector during the first nine months of the year, according to GlobalData [1] - Morgan Stanley led in transaction value, advising on deals worth a cumulative $30.56 billion, while Houlihan Lokey advised on the highest number of deals, totaling 22 [1][2] - In the first nine months of 2024, Houlihan Lokey advised on 25 transactions, maintaining its leadership position in deal volume despite a year-on-year decline in the total number of deals [3] Transaction Details - Morgan Stanley was involved in Keurig Dr Pepper's acquisition of JDE Peet's for €15.7 billion ($18.36 billion) and the subsequent split of the combined business [2] - Houlihan Lokey's advisory work primarily focused on food transactions, including Kraft Heinz's asset sale in Italy [2] Competitor Rankings - Bank of America ranked second in deal value, advising on transactions worth $28.51 billion, followed by Lazard with $27.83 billion from 12 deals, JP Morgan with $11.08 billion, and Goldman Sachs with $10.82 billion [4] - In terms of deal volume, Spayne Lindsay led with 16 transactions, followed by Rothschild & Co. with 14, Deloitte with 13, and both Bank of America and Lazard with 12 [4] Data Source and Methodology - GlobalData's league tables are based on real-time tracking of company and advisory firm websites, with a team of analysts gathering detailed information on each deal [5]

Core Insights - The wealth management industry is experiencing a shift towards integrating AI technologies, moving from curiosity to capability, with firms focusing on building foundational data and governance structures to leverage AI effectively [3][4][15] - AI is enhancing productivity in middle office roles, with some firms achieving over 30% productivity gains through automation [2] - The role of AI in wealth management is to augment human advisers rather than replace them, emphasizing the importance of interpersonal relationships in client interactions [5][6][7] AI Integration and Impact - AI is now central to wealth management strategies, influencing client onboarding, investment research, portfolio optimization, and pricing [3][4] - Smaller firms are leveraging agility and modular AI tools to implement effective solutions without heavy infrastructure investments, allowing them to compete with larger banks [8][9] - The technology is driving operational improvements, particularly in data aggregation and document analysis, although significant challenges remain in private markets due to data fragmentation [14][15] Pricing and Value Proposition - Despite technological advancements, pricing models in wealth management have remained stable, with firms competing on trust and relationship management rather than price [10][11] - Regulatory changes, such as the UK's Consumer Duty, are prompting firms to align pricing with fairness principles, leading to revenue increases for some wealth managers [11] Client Engagement and Differentiation - Successful firms differentiate themselves by understanding and serving specific client segments rather than competing solely on product offerings [12] - Hybrid models combining digital interfaces with human expertise are gaining traction, particularly among mass-affluent and high-net-worth clients [12][13] Future Outlook and Challenges - The next decade will challenge financial services with lower interest rates and cost pressures, requiring firms to earn growth in a competitive environment [15][16] - AI will serve as both a disruptor and divider, with firms that have strong data foundations seeing productivity gains, while others may face new risks [15][16] - The balance between trust and technology will be crucial, as firms must master data and maintain personal connections to thrive in the evolving landscape [16]

Core Insights - Geopolitical risk has become a central concern for businesses, moving from a historically remote issue to a daily consideration [1][2] - Companies across all sectors are advised to maintain constant vigilance regarding geopolitical developments, particularly due to the escalating US-China rivalry [2][3] Geopolitical Context - The US-China rivalry is characterized as a chronic and intensifying superpower competition, with economic tools like sanctions and tariffs being primary instruments [2][3] - The rivalry creates a scenario where companies have "nowhere to hide" from its impacts, necessitating a reevaluation of risk management strategies [2] Business Implications - The adversarial nature of the US-China relationship influences political and business decisions, especially concerning non-aligned countries such as India [3] - The report highlights that the rivalry is in its early stages, indicating a prolonged period of geopolitical tension with no foreseeable resolution [3] Economic Spillovers - There are significant economic spillovers resulting from hyper-globalization and hyper-digitalization, which amplify the effects of geopolitical tensions [3] - The use of economic measures as weapons has become prevalent, with little room for compromise on critical issues [3] Conflict Risks - The report identifies that the most severe threats to trade and investment arise when geopolitical tensions escalate into armed conflicts, as seen in various global hotspots [5] - Potential conflicts in East Asia, particularly around Taiwan, are highlighted as particularly concerning, with implications for global supply chains and investment [5] Sector-Specific Vulnerabilities - Certain sectors, especially technology and energy (including green energy), are described as being highly 'geopoliticised' and susceptible to being weaponized [6] - Geopolitical tensions are intertwined with other global challenges, such as the climate crisis and migration, creating complex feedback loops that affect business operations [6]

Core Insights - Maintaining a high Net Promoter Score (NPS) is essential for customer acquisition and retention, shifting focus from mass marketing to network-based advocacy [1][2] - The survey reveals that lower fees and recommendations from friends or family are the primary drivers for customers switching banks, yet only 1.93% of consumers globally changed their main bank in 2025, highlighting the importance of reputation and NPS [2][10] - Financial education is crucial, as many consumers lack confidence in investing, with only 33% investing for retirement and barriers like limited understanding persisting [8][9] Customer Behavior and Preferences - Satisfaction levels in banking drop significantly in areas such as pricing transparency and loyalty rewards, indicating a gap in traditional banks' focus on long-tenure clients [3] - Despite the dominance of online channels for daily activities, over half of consumers still prefer visiting branches for account openings and mortgage applications, particularly affluent clients [6][7] - The paradox of modern banking shows that while digital convenience is standard, personal connection and confidence remain key differentiators [7] Technological Investments - Banks are heavily investing in generative AI and cloud infrastructure to enhance customer support and reduce operating costs, allowing for lower fees and faster services [5] - Real-time payment systems now cover 79% of the global population, but only 19% utilize these systems for both peer-to-peer and retail purchases, indicating a need for broader adoption [11] Payment Models and Security - Open-banking-driven account-to-account payments are gaining traction, especially in regions like Asia-Pacific and the Middle East, enabling instant settlements and faster access to funds for merchants [12][13] - Security remains a critical factor in mobile payment adoption, with 30% of non-users willing to adopt mobile wallets if they offer better security than traditional methods [17] - The rise in financial fraud, with 28% of consumers affected in 2025, emphasizes the need for banks to implement advanced AI-based detection and consumer education [19][20] Strategic Imperatives - The report emphasizes that success in 2025 will depend on balancing automation with authenticity, as consumers expect personalized service while ensuring the safety of their money and data [21] - Institutions that achieve a balance of responsible data use, fair pricing, financial education, and secure transactions will lead the next phase of global banking transformation [22]

Core Insights - The insurance industry is increasingly focused on price or premiums and the speed of response to queries as key factors influencing broker decisions [1][2] Group 1: Industry Trends - 28.4% of respondents in GlobalData's 2025 UK Commercial Insurance Broker Survey identified price or premiums as the most important factor when selecting an insurer, while 8.8% prioritized the speed of response [2][3] - Insurers are under pressure to provide competitive pricing and enhance operational efficiency to meet broker expectations [2] Group 2: Company Case Study - Aviva's partnership with ICE Insurtech exemplifies how major insurers are adopting digital transformation to enhance competitiveness [4] - By implementing ICE's policy administration system, Aviva has halved its quote turnaround time, leading to improved customer satisfaction and retention [4] - The integration of advanced technology has allowed Aviva to reduce IT costs, enabling lower customer premiums, which aligns with the survey findings on operational cost savings [4][5] Group 3: Future Outlook - The digital transformation in the insurance sector requires a fundamental shift in business models, focusing on modernizing operations and enhancing customer journeys [5] - Companies that prioritize customer-centric solutions and can deliver competitive pricing alongside rapid response times are likely to emerge as market leaders [5]

Core Insights - White & Case and Kirkland & Ellis are the leading legal advisers in the power sector for M&A activities during Q1 to Q3 2025, with White & Case leading in deal value and Kirkland & Ellis leading in deal volume [1][2] Group 1: Performance Metrics - White & Case advised on deals worth $45.7 billion, securing the top position in the value table [1] - Kirkland & Ellis led in volume with a total of 26 deals, while also ranking second in value with $45.3 billion [3][4] - Both firms showed year-on-year improvement in deal volume and value, indicating a strong performance in the sector [3] Group 2: Notable Deals - Both firms were involved in significant transactions, including a $16.4 billion acquisition of Calpine by Constellation Energy, showcasing their capability in handling high-value deals [3] Group 3: Rankings and Competitors - Following White & Case and Kirkland & Ellis in the value rankings were Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher with $35.7 billion and Latham & Watkins with $24 billion [3] - In terms of deal volume, White & Case was second with 23 deals, while CMS also had 23 deals but ranked third due to lower cumulative value [4]

Kirkland & Ellis has emerged as the top mergers and acquisitions (M&A) legal adviser in the oil and gas sector for the first three quarters of 2025 (Q1–Q3 2025) by value and volume, according to GlobalData, a data and analytics company. As per analysis of GlobalData’s financial deals database, Kirkland & Ellis advised on 36 transactions with a total value of $48.9bn. GlobalData lead analyst Aurojyoti Bose said: “Kirkland & Ellis was the top adviser by both volume and value during Q1–Q3 2024 as well. The ...

Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz and Alston & Bird have emerged as the top mergers and acquisitions (M&A) legal advisers by deal value and volume, respectively, for the first three quarters (Q1-Q3) of 2025 in the financial services sector. This ranking is based on a comprehensive league table report by GlobalData, a prominent data and analytics firm. An analysis of GlobalData's financial deals database shows that Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz secured the top spot in the deal value table by advising on tra ...

Core Insights - Morgan Stanley and Houlihan Lokey are the leading financial advisers in the M&A sector for Q1-Q3 2025, with Morgan Stanley leading by deal value and Houlihan Lokey by deal volume [1][2] Group 1: Morgan Stanley's Performance - Morgan Stanley advised on transactions totaling $51.5 billion in Q1-Q3 2025, maintaining its position as the top adviser by value [1][2] - The firm was the only adviser to surpass the $50 billion mark in total deal value during this period, despite a year-on-year decline [2] - Morgan Stanley participated in eight billion-dollar deals, including a mega deal valued at over $20 billion, which contributed to its top ranking by value [2] Group 2: Houlihan Lokey's Performance - Houlihan Lokey advised on 33 transactions in Q1-Q3 2025, showing significant improvement in deal volume compared to Q1-Q3 2024 [3] - The firm's ranking by value improved from 10th position to the top position due to this increase in deal volume [3] Group 3: Competitors' Performance - Evercore ranked second in deal value with $46 billion in M&A deals, followed by JP Morgan with $43.7 billion, UBS with $39.1 billion, and Goldman Sachs with $38 billion [3] - In terms of deal volume, Stifel/KBW ranked second with 32 deals, Piper Sandler third with 31 deals, and Goldman Sachs and JP Morgan secured fourth and fifth positions with 24 and 20 deals, respectively [4] Group 4: Data Source and Methodology - GlobalData's league tables are based on real-time tracking of various reliable sources, including company and advisory firm websites [5] - A dedicated team of analysts gathers in-depth details for each deal, ensuring the robustness of the data [5]