Barclays Bankers Gear Up for Surge in Dealmaking and IPOs
Barclays’ Stephen Dainton anticipates a busy year for M&A and IPOs as US firms gain momentum from rising stock prices
Barclays, Stephen Dainton, M&A, US, Equities, IPOs
New York: Barclays’ Stephen Dainton is getting ready for a big year ahead. He believes that more US companies are feeling confident thanks to rising stock prices. This boost gives them the power to chase after acquisitions.
Dainton shared his thoughts in a recent chat with Bloomberg Television. He’s optimistic that the capital markets will shift positively for both equities and mergers and acquisitions in 2025. He pointed out the differences between the US and Europe as a key factor.
Last year, the S&P 500 jumped 25%, which is a big deal. Higher stock prices mean companies can use their shares as currency for deals. Plus, it’s making privately-held firms think about going public to cash in on better valuations.
He also mentioned that corporate restructuring is on the rise, which will lead to more activity in investment banking. Companies are actively reshaping their boards and dealing with more activist investors this year.
Dainton’s comments echo what many dealmakers are saying: they’re hopeful that 2025 will mark the end of a long slump in M&A activity. Barclays stands out as the only major European bank with a strong investment-banking presence in the US, positioning it well for the expected increase in market activity.
With the upcoming changes in the political landscape, Barclays has already seen a boost in investment-grade debt issuance. Dainton described last year as a “constructive year” for dealmaking and trading, though he noted that nothing is set in stone for bonuses just yet.
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