Baird Releases 2025 Corporate M&A Report: Strategic Buyers Are Reshaping The Deal Landscape
MILWAUKEE/LONDON – November 18, 2025 - Baird, a leading global investment bank, today announced the publication of its latest Corporate M&A report. Developed in partnership with 8 Acre Perspective, an independent research firm, the report draws on nearly 70 in-depth interviews with corporate development leaders at private and publicly listed companies, across a range of sectors, ownership types, market capitalizations and geographies. Combined with Baird’s own market analysis and proprietary intelligence, the interviews revealed a fascinating picture of today’s M&A backdrop – where strategic players, including the growing segment of PE-backed strategic buyers, are forging new ways to win.
Five key insights emerged:
- Corporate Acquirors Have Evolved
Private equity has compelled corporates to raise their M&A game - PE-backed Strategic Acquirors Are a Rising Force
Punching far above their weight in the M&A market - ‘Must-Have’ Assets Drive Strategic Buyers to Step Up and Win
Strong strategic and cultural fit are paramount - Four Factors to Consider When Selling to Strategics
Engaging on fit, diligence, talent retention and synergies - Looking Ahead: Strategic Buyers Are Flexing Their Muscles
Increasingly using M&A to embrace technology
Leaders interviewed shared insights into their corporate M&A strategies, from evaluating opportunities to building teams that drive execution. Their input underscored the increased sophistication across corporate M&A and the capabilities needed to acquire highly strategic assets.
We’re seeing a structural shift in dealmaking. Increased competition for top-tier assets and the rise of PE-backed strategics are forcing everyone to raise their game. Success now depends on clarity of strategy, cultural fit, and the ability to move decisively – those are the hallmarks of tomorrow’s winners. By bringing together voices from across the industry, we aim to illuminate best practices and emerging trends that will define the future of dealmaking.
Pat Guerin, Co-Head Global M&A, Co-Head Baird European Investment Banking
From Baird’s vantage point, dealmaking is becoming more competitive and strategically focused. Corporates have become more aggressive and focused, while PE-backed platforms are often using speed and certainty to gain an edge. These strategic buyers are quietly reshaping the landscape – creating a market where creativity and conviction matter as much as capital. This research aims to equip both corporates and financial sponsors with actionable insights to help them excel in a competitive market.
Mike Lindemann, Co-Head Global M&A, Co-Head Baird Industrial Investment Banking
To see the full report’s contents, click here or reach out to one of the media contacts listed below.
About Baird Global Investment Banking
Baird is a leading global investment bank with more than 545 banking associates, offering corporations, entrepreneurs, private equity and other financial sponsors a broad range of advisory and financing solutions. Since 2020, Baird has completed nearly 760 advisory transactions, representing $353 billion in transaction value, and 391 financings, raising over $163 billion.
About Baird
Putting clients first since 1919, Baird is an employee-owned, international wealth management, asset management, investment banking/capital markets and private equity firm with offices in the United States and Europe. Baird has approximately 5,300 associates serving the needs of individual, corporate, institutional and municipal clients and more than $525 billion in client assets as of June 30, 2025. Committed to being a great workplace, Baird ranked No.13 on the 2025 Fortune 100 Best Companies to Work For® list – its 22nd consecutive year on the list. Baird is the marketing name of Baird Financial Group. Baird’s principal operating subsidiaries are Robert W. Baird & Co. Incorporated and Baird Trust Company in the United States and Robert W. Baird Group Ltd. in Europe. For more information, please visit Baird’s website at www.rwbaird.com.
For additional information, contact:
Baird Public Relations
414-765-7250
publicrelations@rwbaird.com
