In 2022 the value of strategic M&A deals fell to the lowest point in a decade, while the gap between seller and buyer valuations remained wide. Certain companies profited from the volatile environment to pursue their M&A objectives.

One example is the successful merger between United Technologies and Rockwell Collins which resulted in the world’s most advanced aerospace and defense systems manufacturing company. The $135 billion deal was a win-win for both sellers and buyers, as it enabled them to grow their client base and increase their revenue.

In a different instance, LSEG, the owner of Europe’s biggest financial markets, bought a US-based competitor NYSEG to create the world’s most comprehensive global market data provider. This acquisition strategy will help LSEG better serve its customers by providing them with a wide range of market data trading tools, analytics and analytics, in addition to risk management services across international financial markets.

The success of vertical M&A can also be seen in the acquisition of Aetna at M&A deals a cost of $70-billion by CVS Health. This deal transformed the healthcare industry by combining pharmacy and health insurance into one. The energy sector also experienced a vertical merger in the form of ONEOK’s purchase by Magellan midstream Partners L.P. for an impressive $18.8 Billion. The deal is expected transform the infrastructure for oil and gas. The state-owned Chinese chemical company ChemChina joined forces with its competitor Sinochem to become the world’s largest industrial chemicals conglomerate. This is a clear demonstration that it is important to leverage M&A in times of uncertainty and changes.