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Axios AI+

With a more relaxed antitrust posture and the possibility of tax reform on the horizon, merger activity is expected to rise this year. About 44 % of dealmakers see the number of transactions rising this year, while 35% expect M&A to be about the same as last year. Only one in five expect the number of mergers to drop from last year, according to a new Brunswick Group survey.

Half of those surveyed see the Trump administration as a positive for deals and 21 percent see the new president as neutral. Less than a third of dealmakers see the new administrative as a hindrance for transactions.

Healthcare, energy and pharmaceuticals are seen as the hottest sectors for deal activity.

The one hitch is for foreign companies looking to buy U.S. companies. Nearly three quarters of those surveyed expect foreign purchases to face more scrutiny.

Mergers seen getting a Trump bump

Tax reform and less antitrust scrutiny are the main catalysts.

Business

Technology

<p>With a more relaxed antitrust posture and the possibility of tax reform on the horizon, merger activity is expected to rise this year. About 44 % of dealmakers see the number of transactions rising this year, while 35% expect M&amp;A to be about the same as last year. Only one in five expect the number of mergers to drop from last year, according to a new Brunswick Group survey.</p>

President Biden has made the COVID-19 crisis and a post-Trump return to national unity and traditional democratic ideals his top priorities. From vaccinations to stimulus to schools, Biden is seeking bipartisan compromise while showing a willingness to use executive authority and bare Democratic majorities in the U.S. House and Senate to implement his policies. Republican leaders are navigating deep party divisions over if and how to move beyond former President Trump.

Mergers seen getting a Trump bump

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