‘Recent events have not helped the UK’s Brexit negotiating hand – or foot, which now sports a large bullet hole.’
Andy Ryde, Slaughter and May
GOODBYE GLOBALISM
‘There has been significant M&A slowdown in the first quarter of 2017 – despite pundits commenting positively. There is no empirical survey evidence to show a drop-off in confidence, so we will have to see what happens in the next few quarters. The overall macro predictions continue to be steady but we’re not expecting spectacular growth. I fear the world as a whole is backing away from globalism – that’s bad for M&A activity – and it will disproportionately hit cross-border work.’
Richard Hall, head of M&A EMEA, Cravath, Swaine & Moore