Despite being a record-breaking year overall, 2021 ended on a bit of a down note. Both U.S. and global sponsor-related M&A deal value dropped significantly in December, with total deal value down 51% in the U.S. and 33% globally compared to November. Offsetting those losses, strategic M&A deal value surged 45% in the U.S. and 20% globally, resulting in only slight declines in overall deal value of 8% in the U.S. and 5% globally. Continuing the trend over the last three months, deal count was down across all sectors.
