Insight Weekly: Earnings forecasts for US banks; corporate deleveraging; LatAm currency gains

Inflation puts dent in M&A after white-hot 2021

M&A deals in North America fell 16.7% from February 2021 to February 2022, according to the latest S&P Global Market Intelligence data.

—Read the full article from S&P Global Market Intelligence

Technology M&A values dive in Q1 even as volumes hit record

The prospect of higher interest rates hit equity markets hard in the first quarter, translating into a dip in M&A valuations. But deal volumes remained at a record high, and analysts expect acquirers to buy into the dip.

—Read the full article from S&P Global Market Intelligence

M&A volume dips YOY across insurance industry in Q1

Berkshire Hathaway's planned purchase of Alleghany was by far the largest insurance deal announced in the first quarter.

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Steady M&A continues to deepen bank-fintech convergence

Banks are snapping up talent and digital capabilities from fintech acquisitions and partnerships, as the line between traditional definitions of banks and fintechs continues to blur.

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US companies continue deleveraging trend through end of 2021

The highly cash-generative information technology sector has the lowest leverage of the 10 nonfinancial sectors tracked by S&P Global Market Intelligence.

—Read the full article from S&P Global Market Intelligence

World's strongest Q1 currency gains seen in LatAm as commodity prices rise

Currencies are gaining steam even as Latin American economies face political uncertainty, with Brazil and Colombia preparing for presidential elections, Peru in political turmoil, and Chile working to rewrite the constitution.

—Read the full article from S&P Global Market Intelligence

Microsoft's burgeoning cloud business draws EU scrutiny

Analysts say while Microsoft has grown its business by leaps and bounds in Europe, growth in multicloud strategies leaves plenty of room for competitors big and small.

—Read the full article from S&P Global Market Intelligence

Crossing $10B in total assets a rare sight for US credit unions

Sitting above $10 billion in total assets is an exclusive club for credit unions, with only 19 out of 5,019 operating credit unions in the U.S. above the critical threshold.

—Read the full article from S&P Global Market Intelligence

US banks' 2021 dividend payout ratios lower than pre-pandemic levels

In 2021, publicly traded banks in the U.S. distributed an aggregate of $54.32 billion in dividends to their shareholders.

—Read the full article from S&P Global Market Intelligence

CEO pay rebounds at big US banks in 2021

The CEOs at Morgan Stanley and Goldman Sachs both made $35.0 million last year, edging out JPMorgan's Jamie Dimon at $34.5 million.

—Read the full article from S&P Global Market Intelligence

Hong Kong bankers high in demand as city fights to keep finance hub status

Banks in Hong Kong face an acute talent shortage as the city continues to impose some of the strictest travel restrictions in the world to control the COVID-19 pandemic.

—Read the full article from S&P Global Market Intelligence

Insurers' $15B Russia aviation puzzle will take years to solve

The industry expects disputes over coverage triggers and which types of cover will apply to the hundreds of foreign-owned jets stranded in Russia as a result of the Ukraine war.

—Read the full article from S&P Global Market Intelligence

Insurtechs battling persistent losses, slumping stocks bring in seasoned execs

Insurance technology companies are discovering that they need to have sophisticated balance sheet management and solid underwriting practices, and are turning to industry veterans for help.

—Read the full article from S&P Global Market Intelligence

Graphite emissions fuel search for solutions along EV supply chain

Heavy reliance on coal and oil to make graphite is driving up the carbon emissions associated with making lithium-ion batteries. Downstream companies are starting to scour the globe for low-carbon sources to keep emissions at bay.

—Read the full article from S&P Global Market Intelligence

Gold industry groups aim to 'squeeze out nefarious practices' with tracking tech

New technology and programs coming out of the gold sector will enable gold investors and consumers to track and verify responsible and ethical production from what has been a relatively high-polluting industry in the past.

—Read the full article from S&P Global Market Intelligence

'Hold onto your wallets': Low zinc supply hints at market shocks ahead

Supply scarcity has raised zinc prices and catalyzed massive stock drawdowns, potentially exposing the London Metal Exchange to another bout of volatility.

—Read the full article from S&P Global Market Intelligence

Outlook 2022: Renewable resources make up most US planned capacity additions

An analysis of S&P Global Market Intelligence data shows that the U.S. is expected to add 87,535 MW of generation and storage in 2022, while 9,257 MW of capacity is set to be retired.

—Read the full article from S&P Global Market Intelligence

Kaseya's $6.2B play for Datto to expand managed service providers offerings

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SailPoint, Tufin go private in run of cybersecurity acquisitions by PE firms

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$1B+ US asset management deal space off to strong start in 2022

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Mortgage banking M&A activity increases in Q1 after deal drought

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Deal Tracker: Media, telecom M&A activity falls 37.6% YOY in March

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