Articles by Christopher Darst

Darst is senior vice president at Marsh, Berry & Co. Inc.

Deal Activity on Record Pace: MarshBerry

Deal count is on record pace for the first nine months of 2017 (year-to-date, Sept. 30, 2017). There were 357 transactions during this period. By comparison, 334 transactions closed during the same year-to-date period in 2016, and 352 deals year-to-date …

M&A Review: Deal Activity Slows, Demand Remains Healthy

Deal count for the first quarter of 2017 was down relative to the first quarter of both 2015 and 2016. There were 102 announced transactions in the first quarter of 2017, compared to 124 in the first quarter of 2016 …

M&A Review: Deal Activity Continues Strong Pace

Deal count for the third quarter (Q3) of 2016 was down relative to the record-breaking Q3 of 2015, but was still the second-most active Q3 in the past 10 years. There were 90 announced transactions in Q3 2016 compared to …

Review of Q1 M&A Deal Activity

Deal count for the first quarter of 2016 was down slightly relative to the record-breaking first quarter of 2015, but was still the second most active first quarter in the past 10 years. There were 109 announced transactions in the …

Deal Activity Still Booming

Deal count for the third quarter of 2015 continued its record breaking pace with 89 announced transactions. Although it was the slowest quarter in 2015 (107 in 1st quarter and 99 in 2nd quarter), it was the most active third …

Deal Activity Still Impressive

Deal count for the second quarter of 2015 was one of the most active quarters on record with 87 announced transactions. The total deal count for year-to-date 2015 (as of July 6, 2015) was at 187 (U.S. based transactions). This …

2014 Deal Activity Close to Record

Deal count for the fourth quarter of 2014 was the second most active quarter on record with 91 announced transactions. The total deal count for 2014 (as of Jan. 12, 2015) was at 321 (U.S. based transactions). This was a …