This edition of M&A Corner looks back at transaction activity over the past 16 months, discusses some of the key factors shaping the current M&A market, and offers thoughts on the outlook.

The cover of a recent issue of Time magazine dubbed 2020 “The Worst Year Ever.” From the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent global economic fallout to a tumultuous U.S. presidential election and the loss of icons like Kobe Bryant, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, and Alex Trebek, 2020 certainly has been a year for the books. Suffice to say, we’re all eager to turn the page to 2021. 

As we headed in to 2020, merger and acquisition (M&A) activity in chemicals and materials was humming along at near-historical levels. High valuations did not seem to deter buyers, with private equity (PE) firms clamoring to place capital and strategic buyers motivated for acquisitions to bolster their growth and help justify their high stock prices.