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2017 was a record year for mergers and acquisitions

Dan Primack, author of Pro Rata

The number of global mergers and acquisitions hit an all-time high in 2017, although the aggregate value of those deals fell short of 2016 and 2015, according to Thomson Reuters. Deals for U.S.-based targets experienced a similar dichotomy.

Expand chart
Reproduced from Thomson Reuters; Chart: Axios Visuals

More data points from Thomson Reuters:

  • The only geographic region with increases to both deal count and deal value over 2016 was Asia-Pacific, up 14.1% and 2.2%, respectively.
  • Real estate took the global top spot in terms of deal value (4,000 deals valued at $530 billion), followed by energy/power (last year's leader).
  • The number of deals valued between $1 billion and $5 billion hit an 11-year high.

Go deeper

Kadia Goba
11 mins ago - Politics & Policy

Congress plots COVID pandemic-era office upgrades

oving crates outside Rep. Elise Stefanik's old office Tuesday. Photo: Bill Clark/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images

The House plans to renovate members' suites even though staff are worried about an influx of contractors and D.C. is tightening restrictions on large gatherings, some staffers told Axios.

Why it matters: The Capitol has been closed to public tours since March. Work over the holiday season comes as U.S. coronavirus cases spike, Americans beg for more pandemic assistance and food lines grow.

Go deeper (<1 min. read)Arrow
Jonathan Swan
3 hours ago - Politics & Policy

Trump pressures Barr to release so-called Durham report

Bill Barr. Photo: Jabin Botsford/The Washington Post via Getty Images

President Trump and his allies are piling extreme pressure on Attorney General Bill Barr to release a report that Trump believes could hurt perceived Obama-era enemies — and view Barr's designation of John Durham as special counsel as a stall tactic, sources familiar with the conversations tell Axios.

Why it matters: Speculation over Barr's fate grew on Tuesday, with just 49 days remaining in Trump's presidency, after Barr gave an interview to the Associated Press in which he said the Justice Department has not uncovered evidence of widespread fraud that could change the election's outcome.

Go deeper (1 min. read)Arrow
Jonathan Swan, Rebecca Falconer
4 hours ago - Health

CDC to cut guidance on quarantine period for coronavirus exposure

A health care worker oversees cars as people arrive to get tested for coronavirus at a testing site in Arlington, Virginia, on Tuesday. Photo: Olivier Douliery/AFP via Getty Images

The CDC will soon shorten its guidance for quarantine periods following exposure to COVID-19, AP reported Tuesday and Axios can confirm.

Why it matters: Quarantine helps prevent the spread of the coronavirus, which can occur before a person knows they're sick or if they're infected without feeling any symptoms. The current recommended period to stay home if exposed to the virus is 14 days. The CDC plans to amend this to 10 days or seven with a negative test, an official told Axios.

  • The CDC did not immediately respond to a request for comment.