As geopolitical tensions intensify, Australian markets continue to navigate global uncertainty. The ongoing US-China trade war and revived tariffs have placed pressure on Asian dollar bonds and cast a shadow over tech IPOs globally. However, Australia’s venture capital market has seen a Q1 boost—particularly in AI and climate tech—despite rising sovereign risk.

Meanwhile, M&A activity remains strong: KKR finalised a $3.1b acquisition, Five V Capital and Macquarie Capital are advancing local deals, and interest in Australian gold assets heats up. With markets shifting quickly, investors are keeping a close eye on short selling trends, tech policy, and global capital flows.

Australia’s sharemarket experienced its strongest one-day surge in over a year, jumping 4.5% as investor confidence returned following a tariff pause by US President Donald Trump. All ASX sectors posted gains, led by tech, mining, and energy stocks, signaling a wave of optimism for markets and dealmakers alike.

Global markets are rattled as Trump-era tariff tensions return with force, dragging investor confidence, supply chains, and sentiment across sectors. Australia is not immune, with ripple effects hitting trade, consumer confidence, and the strategic direction of institutional investors.

Borrowers are increasingly turning to private debt over traditional bank solutions, drawn by faster execution, higher leverage, and customised terms. Meanwhile, valuation gaps between buyers and sellers are being addressed through deferred consideration mechanisms and expanded warranty and indemnity (W&I) insurance coverage. Regulatory scrutiny from ASIC, AUSTRAC, and the ACCC continues to shape the M&A landscape, driving more sophisticated due diligence with a focus on technical and regulatory risks. Private equity (PE) deal volume and value are climbing, particularly in technology, healthcare, and energy, while renewable energy and carbon markets see a surge in activity amid shifting capital flows and regulatory uncertainty.

“Today, Gen AI is a competitive advantage. Tomorrow, it’ll be a requirement.” If you’re not exploring it yet, you’re not just behind – you’re risking being left in the dust.

Gold prices have surged once again, breaking records as investors brace for the economic impact of Trump’s incoming "Liberation Day" tariffs. The precious metal soared to $3,150.30 an ounce on Comex, marking a 10.6% gain for the month and a 19.3% rise for the quarter—its best performance since 1986. While some analysts predict further gains beyond $3,200, others warn that gold is now in a precarious zone, signaling a potential pullback.

In the world of mergers and acquisitions, determining a company's valuation is one of the most challenging—and critical—steps in the negotiation process. The complexities M&A professionals face in bridging valuation gaps, assessing intangible qualities, and navigating biases.

Sydney-based venture capital fund EVP has taken swift action following concerns over its recent $17 million investment in Melbourne startup StrongRoom AI. Within two weeks, EVP engaged legal and forensic accounting experts and notified law enforcement in efforts to recover the investment. The startup, valued at $70 million, specialises in medication management and patient engagement software, serving over 1,500 customers in Australia and the UK.

The M&A landscape continues to surge in 2025, with major players making bold moves across cybersecurity, AI, and fintech. Here’s a quick look at the biggest headlines shaping the market.

The Debt Capital Markets (DCM) landscape continues to evolve as investors adapt to shifting interest rates, inflation concerns, and geopolitical dynamics. In this update, we take a quick look at current trends, investor sentiment, and the growing role of technology shaping DCM strategies.

Exit planning is the strategic process of preparing a business for sale or transition by optimising all aspects to maximise its value. This level of preparation distinguishes extraordinary businesses from the rest.

Idea Science, a trailblazing independent consultancy specialising in customer experience, recently announced the acquisition of Etica Digital (Etica), a distinguished Salesforce Gold Consulting Partner. Etica is renowned for its expertise in crafting tailored solutions based on Salesforce, Mulesoft and other leading digital platforms.

Enee Solutions, a prominent technology provider based in South Australia has successfully concluded the sale of its’ business to First Focus, a distinguished managed service provider in the mid-market segment.

MSA is delighted to announce the addition of two new members to our MSA family; Leigh Golombick joins us as Associate Director and Shi Ren will be joining us as an Intern for a period of 12 weeks.

After a record mergers and acquisitions (M&A) year in 2021, we have seen the market slow down with a relatively soft second half in 2022. There are ongoing concerns of a global recession and the challenges that presents to businesses. However, the looming downturn does not appear to dampen the market’s appetite for acquisitions.
Businesses that are in a healthy and stable financial position will remain of interest as an acquisition target.

Reading recent headlines, economies around the globe are faced with challenging times. Volatile exchange rates, rising inflation and soaring interest rates are causing major headaches.
Difficult choices will have to be made and these decisions will have real-world implications for your people, clients and suppliers. It is important to find the most economical path that is right for your business. A balanced path will not only ensure your survival but position your business for a strong emergence from this foreshadowed fiscal nightmare.

PrintIQ, a high-end, modular print management information system (MIS) provider, announces it has been acquired by Banyan Software, a company focused on acquiring, building, and growing great enterprise software businesses..
PrintIQ worked with Morgan Shaw Advisory (MSA) over a three year period. MSA helped build printIQ’s long-term growth strategy and guide the team to deliver the ambitious business roadmap.

Bombah Point Eco Cottages (Bombah) is a truly unique 4.5-star retreat for the eco-conscious traveller.

MSA sourced prospective purchasers who would appreciate the one-of-its kind aspect of the property and business and delivered the perfect buyer who would carry on and with a clear vision to evolve the Bombah story.

MSA successfully leads Blended Digital (Blended) through Deloitte Digital acquisition. Morgan Shaw Advisory was engaged in 2019, when the business was just one year old, to help Blended achieve their bold growth aspirations. Together, we worked on a strategic plan which would evolve the business from a then start-up to become a leading provider in their field of expertise.

The next quarter may present a major challenge for a lot of business owners and compared to last year, there are no government support packages in place.
A survey conducted by the state’s peak business organisation, Business NSW in the second week of January shows that business confidence in NSW has plummeted in the wake of the Omicron surge.