Executive Summary/Highlights:

• Global M&A volume in Q2 was US$498 billion, roughly the same as Q1 but down 25% from the same quarter last year.
• The United States had another comparatively strong quarter, accounting for  four of the five largest deals globally in the quarter and 43% of global M&A volume in the first half of 2013.
• Cross-border M&A volume in the first half of 2013 accounted for 30% of total global M&A volume, down as compared to the corresponding period in 2012.
• Growing stability in U.S. markets, strong corporate earnings, readily available cash and the continued availability of cheap financing for certain borrowers continue to drive M&A activity, but concerns about rising interest rates and volatility in certain developed and developing markets would appear to be restraining deal activity.  Global M&A volume is on pace to reach just under US$2.0 trillion for the year, down from 2012.
• Notwithstanding a 53% decline in private equity-backed M&A compared to Q1, private equity deals accounted for 16% of global M&A volume in the first half of 2013, an increase of 43% over the corresponding period in 2012.

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