Asia-Pacific

Coronavirus Resource Center

The recent outbreak of the coronavirus COVID-19 has quickly evolved from a local issue to a global crisis. In addition to the tragic human loss, the disease is having and will continue to have a profound economic impact. On this page we will be providing regular legal updates on issues affecting our clients’ businesses around the world. Below is a list of our published updates.

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Coronavirus
Insight
Coronavirus Resource Center: Managing business impact and legal risks
As the COVID-19 outbreak continues to escalate, ensuring wellbeing of employees is paramount, but it is not the only challenge. There is a vast sway of operational and legal issues that businesses must address, too.
Stock Market
Insight
Megadeals drive global M&A to 10-year high in Q1 2021
Global M&A value more than doubled YOY to the highest first quarter total on record
buildings
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Global PE deal value jumps to highest quarterly total since 2007
In Q1 2021, private equity activity reached its highest quarterly value in more than a decade
metal wall
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Clearing the debt maturity wall
COVID-19 disruption has had little impact on borrowers' ability to refinance debt and extend loan maturities
Hong Kong city
Insight
Private equity in APAC ready to rebound
After a challenging 2020, APAC private equity dealmakers are forging ahead with deals, and financing markets are well-positioned to support the revival
seoul city image
Insight
South Korean M&A staged Q4 comeback
An active fourth quarter and strong economic fundamentals signal a busy year ahead for South Korean dealmaking
Shanghai city image
Insight
COVID-19 and trade tensions weighed on Asia-Pacific debt markets
COVID-19 disruption and tension between the US and China saw loan and high yield bond issuance decline across Asia-Pacific in 2020, and borrowers and lenders remain cautious
airport boarding area
Insight
Transportation M&A showed signs of recovery in Q4
Dealmaking is gradually making a comeback in the sector, both as a means to rebuild hard-hit companies and to meet growing consumer demand
Alert
Environmental concerns spur Asia to reduce reliance on coal
Refinery
Insight
Asian oil and gas M&A hits record high amid uncertainty
In a year that saw global oil and gas M&A drop dramatically amid the COVID-19 pandemic, the Asian region generated record deal value
metal wall
Insight
LBO issuance slides on slow buyout activity
Leveraged buyout high yield bond and leveraged loan issuance fell in Q3 2020 as a lack of buyout deals in a still cautious M&A market dampened appetite for financing
Ho Chi Minh city
Insight
Vietnamese M&A ticks higher despite global turbulence
M&A in Vietnam surged in Q3, thanks to an economy that has proved resilient in the face of a global pandemic
Infrastructure
Insight
Infrastructure M&A remains robust despite COVID uncertainty
The energy transition and a growing need for efficient digital infrastructure are two trends fueling infrastructure dealmaking in 2020
mining
Insight
Miners dig deep to weather the storm
Mining companies entered 2020 in good financial shape and have continued to secure finance despite disruption from COVID-19
abacus
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Refinancing remains resilient
Refinancing activity has proven an attractive option amid COVID-19 disruption, with borrowers in good standing seeking to extend maturities and take advantage of low interest rates
tower
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Renewables M&A offers hope for hard-hit energy sector
Deal activity within the renewables sector has been a bright spot for energy M&A in 2020
Alert
JFTC Public Comment Opportunity: Amendments to Rules for eliminating seals to promote online procedures
Financial Institutions M&A: Sector trends - June 2019
Insight
Retail M&A focuses on the essentials in 2020
Global retail M&A value increased year on year, as appetite for supermarket and convenience store assets resulted in big-ticket deals
coal gasification to methanol plant
Insight
Chemicals and materials deals down from 2019 highs but recovery is on the way
While COVID shut the window on deals in H1 2020, Q3 saw a revival that augurs well for the rest of the year and beyond
Financial stock display
Insight
Global M&A stages rebound in Q3 2020
After deal activity stagnated in H1, the third quarter offers some hope for dealmakers, as deal volume and value surpass Q3 2019
Alert
JFTC Merger Review FY2019
Alert
Letter from America: navigating Australia’s new debtor-in-possession insolvency reforms
Alert
Project Finance, human rights and climate change: Updated Equator Principles 4 in effect from October
computer codes
Insight
Software M&A shows resilience in challenging market
While not unscathed by the ongoing pandemic, software deals are proving to be resilient to the effects of lockdown
office building windows
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Lenders' views on documentation diverge under lockdown
The decline in H1 2020 leveraged finance issuance has seen some lenders intensify their focus on pricing and borrower-friendly loan structures, but lender responses to the impact of COVID-19 have diverged across regions
Alert
“Never waste a (COVID-19) crisis”: new proposals to streamline the Australian government's environmental approvals regime
computer and mobile gaming
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Online gaming M&A levels up
The online gaming industry has flourished amid stay-at-home orders
grey stairs
Insight
Are rising default rates cause for concern?
Leveraged finance defaults are rising as the impact of COVID-19 is felt, but covenant-lite terms, government intervention and support from financial sponsors have mitigated fallout from the pandemic
metal wall
Insight
High yield bond issuance rebounds
After COVID-19 concerns brought issuance to a near halt in March, Q2 high yield bond activity climbed in most markets as borrowers sought to boost balance sheets and cash reserves
a modern city skyline in Vietnam
Alert
New EU-Vietnam FTA Enters into Force
Shanghai city image
Insight
Chinese M&A bounces back in Q2
A surge of interest from inbound investors drives recovery after a sharp fall in Q1
Patterns
Insight
ESG takes center stage amid economic crisis and social unrest
Strong ESG credentials and long-term plans to improve their relationship with society and the environment are increasingly important to ensure companies’ access to capital
Alert
Japan's 2020 Proxy Season Results Announced
graph
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Loan markets show signs of life after COVID-19 shock
Investor sentiment has begun to recover, but ratings downgrades and higher pricing continue to keep loan markets on alert
stocks
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Global M&A value collapses to record lows in Q2 2020
As the COVID-19 pandemic spread, global M&A value dropped to the lowest half-yearly total since H1 2010
Insight
Global PE buyout activity stays relatively robust in H1
Amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, total buyout volume in the first half of 2020 dropped 23% annually, while value fell 30%—less than half the rate of decline of overall M&A
Alert
COVID-19: Global Government Financial Assistance Measures
Our global team can provide advice on eligibility for governmental financial assistance measures on a global basis. 
circuit board
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Technology M&A remains resilient in the face of COVID-19 crisis
Technology dealmaking has continued apace in 2020 as M&A investors take advantage of the sector's resilience to transact
DNA
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Healthcare M&A prospers, despite fall in deal activity
The megadeals of 2019 may be off the table for now, but deal activity across healthcare and pharmaceuticals has proven resilient through the COVID-19 crisis
Refinery
Insight
Oil & gas industry feels financing squeeze
Low prices and excess supply have pushed oil & gas balance sheets to the brink, which means raising traditional debt will remain difficult and restructurings are expected