Perpetually optimistic investment bankers are hoping a resolution to the U.S. "fiscal cliff" and cheap, plentiful financing will fuel a rebound in mergers and acquisitions in the spring of 2013 and set business back on the road to recovery.The high hopes come after a tough year for dealmakers, as uncertainty about the euro zone, the U.S. presidential election and deficit gave many CEOs cold feet. Global transaction volume fell 3.7 percent this year to $2.357 trillion, according to preliminary data from Thomson Reuters. The number of announced deals fell 11 percent to 35,794, the data shows, its lowest level since 2005.Goldman Sachs and Morgan Stanley retained their positions as the No. 1 and 2 M&A advisers globally, respectively, this year. Barclays catapulted from No. 7 to No. 3, bumping JPMorgan Chase & Co to No. 4, the data shows."M&A activity next year will be driven more by necessity than a wholesale renewal in CEO confidence," said Scott Matlock, chairman of international M&A at Morgan Stanley, noting that a number of logical deals were put on hold amid the financial crisis. "But the necessity to get them launched and executed has, in many cases, never been higher."
JPMorgan Chase & Co. (JPMorgan Chase) is a financial holding company. Shares of JPM remained unchanged at $44.53. In the past year, the shares have traded as low as $30.83 and as high as $46.49. On average, 23630700 shares of JPM exchange hands on a given day and today's volume is recorded at 0.
Morgan Stanley is a global financial services company that, through its subsidiaries and affiliates, provides its products and services to a range of clients and customers, including corporations, governments, financial institutions and individuals. Shares of MS remained unchanged at $19.27. In the past year, the shares have traded as low as $12.26 and as high as $21.19. On average, 19763900 shares of MS exchange hands on a given day and today's volume is recorded at 0.
Thomson Reuters Corporation (Thomson Reuters) is a provider of information for the world?s businesses and professionals. Shares of TRI remained unchanged at $29.38. In the past year, the shares have traded as low as $25.94 and as high as $30.66. On average, 802548 shares of TRI exchange hands on a given day and today's volume is recorded at 0.
Thomson Reuters Corporation (Thomson Reuters) is a provider of information for the world?s businesses and professionals. Shares of TRI remained unchanged at $29.03. In the past year, the shares have traded as low as $26.47 and as high as $30.25. On average, 926344 shares of TRI.TO exchange hands on a given day and today's volume is recorded at 1258500.
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