While spring may still be months away, the thoughts of corporate finance chiefs are already filled with visions of corporate matrimony. More than a quarter (27%) of CFOs surveyed recently by Robert Half Management Resources expect mergers and acquisitions to heat up in the next 12 months; at larger companies with 1,000-plus employees, 32.9% expect a surge.

Over the next two to three years, 48% of those surveyed expected to see a significant uptick. Robert Half conducted the survey of 1,400 CFOs of U.S. companies in August and again in late October 2006.

Not surprisingly, the primary drivers of this anticipated M&A activity are the record corporate cash coffers built up in the current business expansion cycle and an easy credit market, where interest rates have remained stubbornly low in the face of the Federal Reserve's efforts to raise them. The sectors where CFOs expect the most activity: transportation (44%), finance (42%) and manufacturing (38%).

Complete your profile to continue reading and get FREE access to Treasury & Risk, part of your ALM digital membership.

  • Critical Treasury & Risk information including in-depth analysis of treasury and finance best practices, case studies with corporate innovators, informative newsletters, educational webcasts and videos, and resources from industry leaders.
  • Exclusive discounts on ALM and Treasury & Risk events.
  • Access to other award-winning ALM websites including PropertyCasualty360.com and Law.com.
NOT FOR REPRINT

© 2024 ALM Global, LLC, All Rights Reserved. Request academic re-use from www.copyright.com. All other uses, submit a request to [email protected]. For more information visit Asset & Logo Licensing.