'Mid-tier deals to increase in 2025,' predicts Osborne Clarke's international Corporate Team

• Strong outlook due to relatively stable economic conditions, supply and demand dynamics and the need for transformation and change
• Increased transactions expected across high-growth sectors: Technology, Media and Comms (including Artificial Intelligence), Financial Services/FinTech, Renewables and Life Sciences

International legal practice Osborne Clarke launches its international deals report today, predicting an overall positive outlook in mid-tier transactions with increased deals activity for the year ahead. 

Compiled with contributions and insight from across Osborne Clarke's international offices and its best friend firm in India, BTG Advaya, the report examines the trends its lawyers are seeing in mid-market transactions across Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A), Private Equity (PE), Equity Capital Markets (ECM), and Venture Capital (VC).

We're expecting increased growth in the transactional market by 2025, despite challenges such as geopolitical tensions, potential inflation increases, and uncertainty around the US's economy and global approach following President Trump's inauguration

Greg Leyshon, Partner and Co-Head of Osborne Clarke's International Corporate Group

We're seeing a number of positive drivers that are likely to fuel the mid-market including stable global economic conditions, increased deal activity, and strong interest in high-growth sectors like Artificial Intelligence (AI) and renewables. Available funding from tech firms and investment funds, along with business-friendly regulatory changes, will support this growth.

 Dr Björn Hürten, Partner and Co-Head of Osborne Clarke's International Corporate Group

Key 2025 insights from Osborne Clarke's international deals report:

• Relatively Stable Economic Conditions: The IMF has forecast global growth of approximately 3.2% in 2025, with advanced economies growing at 1.8%. Further predicted interest rate cuts, more readily accessible finance, and more attractive valuations are expected to support a robust transactional market.
• Supply and Demand Dynamics: A number of deals held back in 2024 now need to be completed. Corporate finance advisers forecast increased sponsor and corporate buyer activity, more bids per round, and higher final offers compared to previous years. Private equity firms are expected to ramp up sales of ageing portfolio companies and seek new investment opportunities.
• Need for Transformation and Change: The strategic need for acquisitions remains strong due to the fast pace of change, economic and supply chain pressures. High-growth sectors such as AI, renewables, financial services, energy transition, digital transformation, defence, and healthcare are expected to drive M&A activity. Companies will need to adapt to evolving regulations and policies relating to national security, data protection, and ESG.

"With improving market confidence and lower interest rates boosting sentiment, we're very optimistic about 2025 for the UK. PE funds are ready to invest, though fiscal changes and global political factors could impact transactions. Key sectors like fintech may see increased activity and consolidation," comments Greg Leyshon, Partner and Co-Head of Osborne Clarke's International Corporate Group.

Osborne Clarke’s Corporate Team work with global businesses, fast-growth start-ups and market challengers. The team advises at every stage of company development across all corporate issues, from equity and debt fundraisings to M&A, private equity investments, IPOs and JVs.

The multi-jurisdictional Team comprises 250 lawyers across Europe and Asia, which undertook 474 deals in FY23/24. The percentage of the Team's deals that were international increased from 30% to 34% year-on-year (161 deals), and 24 of those deals featured more than three jurisdictions.