At the half-year stage, US dealflow was down sharply whilst China was least impacted. Megadeals declined although mid-market showed resiliency. Meanwhile, private equity's global M&A market share reached record level.

Last Thursday at Mergermarket’s annual Financial Services Forum in NYC, several speakers from major financial institutions identified emerging markets, private credit and fintech as major growth areas for traditional and alternative asset managers. 

Brazilians head to the polls again on Sunday to decide who will run the country for the next four years during a second round that appears clearer than the divisive nature of those running for office, with extreme right candidate, Jair Bolsonaro, expected to walk away winning.

This September marked the one-year anniversary when 12 major shareholders in US shale oil and gas producers met in Manhattan to discuss ways to turn fracking operations from cash burners into cash distributors. In the following months since that clandestine meeting, the very same shareholders, including Invesco Ltd., Macquarie Group and others, pressed executives to curtail capital expenditures and instead use that cash to reward investors with dividends and share buybacks.

While steep tariffs and current account deficits of late have sent emerging market (EM) currencies and equity markets into a tail spin, longer-term demographic trends may have larger consequences for asset prices in developing markets.  

The ongoing trade dispute between the US and its immediate neighbors has instilled uncertainty in investors, especially about the prospects of Mexico’s auto industry.

• Mexico´s one-team-per-investor policy to drive deal activity
• Fall of narco-soccer helps Colombian clubs attract investors
• Youth soccer academies flourish in Brazil

Strong GDP growth and unremarkable Q2 corporate profits have imbued investors with confidence for the time being while a slightly weaker dollar is welcomed news for vulnerable emerging market economies; will a new trade deal with Mexico and a hypothetical dollarized Venezuela keep Latin America out of EM turmoil?    

Following Fed Chair Powell’s speech, content editor Matt O'Brien takes a look at how rising rates could dampen investment and risk defaults across EMs.

Though one measurement shows the mining industry has seen its cost of capital grow by 5% over the past four months, 2018 could shape up to be a record year for fundraising in metals and mining. 

Global dealmakers were surveyed in order to gain an understanding of the opportunities and challenges within the energy sector for 2017.