Accelerating Strategic Deals Expected in 2025

NEW YORK (Reuters) – Goldman Sachs anticipates an increase in "strategic" deals, including large-scale mergers and acquisitions, in 2025, as shared by the finance chief on Tuesday.

Chief Financial Officer Dennis Coleman mentioned at the Goldman Sachs Financial Services conference in New York, "The intensity of our client dialog is accelerating and there are aspects of the overall strategic activity which are becoming more pronounced." He noted, "There is certainly elevated confidence with CEOs and clients that there could be more by way of larger-scale transactions, more strategic activity that could take place."

The Wall Street powerhouse has seen a resurgence in investment banking over the last year, reinforcing its leading position in global mergers and acquisitions rankings. A notable engagement was advising Kellanova, the maker of Cheez-It, which agreed to a purchase by candy giant Mars for nearly $36 billion in August.

While buyouts from private equity firms have been sluggish, Coleman expressed optimism for increased activity in the coming year. He also indicated that a diminished regulatory burden following elections could further unlock potential opportunities for deals.