Risk-sharing has become the watchword among the brokers of private equity and M&A deals, according to Broadview International, the private equity and corporate finance advisory house.

Bruce Huber, a managing director of Broadview Venture Capital and head of Broadview International's London office, says: 'Across the marketplace, deals are being done with a view to some hedge on risk. Investors and trade buyers are all a lot more concerned about the possible downside.'