News

Law

Asset Management

Investment Banking

Wealth

Hedge Funds

People

Newsletters

Events

Lists

Investment Banking

Ukraine war threatens $130bn deal boom: ‘I’ve never seen such an acute turn’

Deals are being put on ice, and fears are growing of a longer-term slump

Sweetgreen's initial public offering at the New York Stock Exchange. IPOs have slumped by 72% globally as volatile markets have made transactions difficult to price and underperforming listings last year hit investor appetite
Sweetgreen's initial public offering at the New York Stock Exchange. IPOs have slumped by 72% globally as volatile markets have made transactions difficult to price and underperforming listings last year hit investor appetite Photo: Michael Nagle/Getty Images

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine is threatening to derail a deal boom that hauled in a record $130bn in fees for investment banks last year and helped prop up profits at the largest Wall Street and European lenders.

Senior bankers told Financial News that the Ukraine conflict had led to a sudden pause in dealmaking activity, which had the potential to to turn into a longer term slump if the impact of the crisis spreads. 

WSJ Logo