Wealth Management Firms Expand Through Strategic Acquisitions in US, UK

The M&A landscape exhibits significant regional differences and evolving market sentiment, particularly between the U.S. and Europe, and among sectors such as wealth management and automotive. U.S. M&A deals typically use post-closing purchase price adjustments (PPAs) for working capital and debt, while European deals more often rely on locked box mechanisms, requiring mutual trust and diligence. Earn-outs are common in both markets but structured differently, reflecting diverse negotiation cultures. In wealth management, strategic acquisitions continue, with firms like The Mather Group expanding in the U.S. and Saltus acquiring Delta Financial Management in the UK to bolster regional presence and client services. Sentiment across the UK and Europe has grown cautiously optimistic, with investors viewing these regions as stable alternatives to the U.S., and sectors like automotive showing recovery despite prior disruptions. Additionally, businesses are adapting to rapid market disruptions by integrating resilience and contingency planning into their M&A strategies to capitalize on changing conditions.