M&A Insights
Why it’s even more important to consider restructuring before spin-offs›
May 15, 2026 - The market is always revealing new reasons for leaders to consider improving assets before spinning them off—but the principles for how to manage such transactions are enduring. Here are three of them.
Reigniting growth through M&A: A playbook for paper and packaging companies›
March 4, 2026 - A through-cycle mindset and a focus on programmatic dealmaking can help paper and packaging companies withstand cyclical disruption in the industry and increase returns.
2026 M&A trends: Navigating a rapidly rebounding market›
February 13, 2026 - After dealmaking slowed momentarily in early 2025, global M&A activity quickly assumed a grand scale—delivering big gains for the year—with momentum continuing.
Excellence in M&A communications: From preannouncement to postclose›
February 13, 2026 - Given the intensity and speed of change in M&A, leaders must prepare to communicate faster and more effectively.
Unlocking merger value through operating model design›
February 13, 2026 - Mergers represent a rare opportunity to transform an organization’s operating model to achieve strategic objectives and deliver promised value. That requires a thoughtful, leader-driven process.
Five steps to strengthen M&A capabilities, no matter the starting point›
February 13, 2026 - The most experienced acquirers continue to outpace competitors, and their approach can guide companies with less extensive—or rusty—M&A capabilities.
Gen AI in M&A: From theory to practice to high performance›
January 14, 2026 - Gen AI helps companies cut costs and close M&A deals faster, positioning them for the next wave of innovation.
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M&A Strategy & Due Diligence
Uncertainty in M&A: Postcards from the new normal›
February 19, 2025 - Unprecedented shocks are affecting M&A activity and dealmaker behavior. Different analyses help bring uncertainty into focus—and suggest a range of outcomes.
CEOs in M&A: Five actions only the chief executive can take›
February 19, 2025 - GSI research and interviews with global leaders reveal the activities and discussions that CEOs should be directly involved in to ensure success before, during, and after M&A transactions.
Gen AI: Opportunities in M&A›
May 21, 2024 - Generative AI is already making its way into the day-to-day world of M&A, and more use cases are emerging. How should companies approach the opportunity?
The portfolio management imperative and its M&A implications›
February 29, 2024 - Several trends are creating a new imperative for strong portfolio management of businesses. Companies need six capabilities to build and manage a winning portfolio, using M&A strategically.
Integration
Why managing culture is critical for value creation in M&A›
February 19, 2025 - Executives can take three important actions to integrate parent and target company cultures more smoothly and generate the intended value from a deal more quickly.
Retain, integrate, thrive: A strategy for managing talent during M&A transactions›
February 19, 2025 - Keeping top talent in the fold and engaged before, during, and after a large deal closes is critical for creating value from transactions. Here’s how to address their needs throughout the M&A phases.
The culture compass: Using early insights to guide integration planning›
February 29, 2024 - The huge impact of culture on M&A performance means that culture should be factored into integration planning from the start. We recommend focusing on five cultural attributes.
How an acquisition invigorated an asset management leader›
December 16, 2021 - Jenny Johnson, president and CEO of Franklin Templeton, explains how the firm’s acquisition of Legg Mason positions it for the next phase of growth.
Separations & IPOs
When separating businesses, people are the key to unleashing value›
January 14, 2025 - By developing strong operating models, matching talent to the right roles, and clearly articulating the “why,” separation leaders can ensure that existing and new businesses thrive.
What it takes to make separations a competitive difference-maker›
December 19, 2024 - Companies that are effective at separations can significantly outperform their peers. Our latest survey highlights the opportunities, and complexities, of achieving a successful separation.
The power of goodbye: How carve-outs can unleash value›
February 7, 2023 - Separations can be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to create value for the remaining and separated companies. The secret? Get granular about support costs and personal about talent.
When bigger isn’t always better›
December 17, 2021 - The recent spate of spin-off announcements reveals the limits of diversification as well as some of the potential value-creating benefits of separations.
Joint Ventures & Alliances
Technology, media, and telecommunications: Software deals and creative partnerships will carry the day›
February 19, 2025 - Multiple trends will likely fuel M&A growth across technology, media, and telecommunications in 2025, with an increase in carve-outs as organizations look to simplify and reshape their corporate portfolios.
Checking the health of your business partnerships›
May 29, 2020 - Frequent, systematic assessments of joint ventures and alliances can reveal hidden problems and opportunities to create more value.
Improving the management of complex business partnerships›
March 21, 2019 - Adhering to four key principles can help companies increase the odds that their collaborations will create more value over their life cycle.
Sector-Focused Insights
How CHROs can win hearts and minds in a buy-side carve-out›
August 28, 2025 - Culture, organization, and talent risks often arise when assets are carved out. Here’s how people leaders can address them.
How buyers can successfully navigate integrating a carve-out›
July 23, 2025 - Integration leaders on the buy-side of a carve-out face three primary tasks to successfully bring new assets into the fold.
Global energy and materials: Overall deal value remains stable, but some segments are gaining share›
February 19, 2025 - A range of factors suggests an increase in M&A activity among energy and materials companies in 2025, despite uncertainties.
Financial services: Dealmakers adapt to a shifting landscape›
February 19, 2025 - In 2024, deals mostly stayed within national borders. In 2025, banking, wealth and asset management, fintech, payments, and...
Life sciences: Primed for an increase›
February 19, 2025 - M&A activity in the life science sector fell in 2024, but several factors, including pent-up demand and the state of companies’...
Advanced industries: New technologies and supply chain shifts are driving key portfolio and investment decisions›
February 19, 2025 - A number of trends, including reduced interest rates and the emergence of new technologies, software, and ecosystems, point to...
Consumer goods: Seeking market expansion and growth›
February 19, 2025 - The broad downward trend of interest rates, coupled with consumer-packaged-goods companies’ cash-rich balance sheets, could lead...
Travel, logistics, and infrastructure: Firms are finding opportunities in technology, changing consumer demographics, and global trade›
February 19, 2025 - M&A among travel companies has been soft, but travel dynamics are changing, presenting growth opportunities. In logistics,...
Dealmaking through challenges: Lessons from the automotive industry›
February 19, 2025 - Sometimes, M&A can pose particularly difficult challenges. The automotive industry offers creative examples of how deals...