Many companies are taking a pause on acquisitions as a cocktail of worrying economic factors, including high inflation, rising interest rates and market volatility, is sapping the confidence of buyers and sellers.
Deal-making activity is expected to remain tepid overall during the fourth quarter compared with 2021, barring an improved economic outlook and lower inflation readings, M&A advisers said.
For instance, spinoffs or divestitures could become more popular deal structures as companies review their business models, Refinitiv’s Mr. Toole said.
Even a number of early M&A discussions, including about possible financing options, are drying up, M&A advisers said.
During the latest quarter, Adobe acquired 5.1 million shares at a cost of $1.8 billion, it said.