M&A activity expected to pick up in 2024, bankers say

Merger & acquisition activity is expected to increase next year as borrowing is expected to be easier and companies are undeterred by antitrust regulators’ attempts to block deals. “Clients are more actively calling, and people are picking up pencils on processes that are ready to kick off,” Michele Cousins, head of leveraged capital markets for the Americas at UBS, said at a UBS press briefing earlier this month. “With the recent strength in markets and reduced volatility, people are feeling more comfortable.” The end of 2023 has seen several large deals, even on Friday with Bristol Myers Squibb’s (NYSE:BMY) planned…