🌟 Hello, Reader

Welcome to yet another exciting edition of KSMC Double Klick, A bi-weekly publication covering topics of interest on M&A, finance, and AI.

Let’s dive into this Issue’s insights straight away.

Warm regards,
Kapil Sukhija
Founder, KSMC

📊 Deal Strategy Deep Dive

Due Diligence Management: Johnson & Johnson’s Actelion Deal

What This Means: Managing due diligence means organizing many expert teams and tasks all at once, under tight deadlines. It requires smooth teamwork between financial, legal, tax, operational, and strategy specialists, clear communication, strict confidentiality, and quick problem-solving to protect the deal’s value and timeline.

The Challenge: Handling dozens of advisors reviewing thousands of documents at the same time is very complex. You need detailed project oversight and strong coordination so nothing gets missed or delayed.

Why It Matters: Bad management of due diligence can lead to missed risks, extra costs, regulatory problems, or even losing the deal. Good management speeds up decisions, lowers risks, and builds confidence for closing and integration.

Real Deal Example: Johnson & Johnson’s purchase of Actelion shows how to do this well: they managed 15 teams, 200+ advisors, and 2 million documents in just 90 days. They held daily meetings, tracked issues live, and quickly addressed problems. The deal was even more complicated because Actelion’s research and development part was spun off into a new Swiss company during the process.

In mid-market deals, while the scale is smaller, the same principles apply. Instead of hundreds of advisors, mid-market transactions typically involve smaller, focused teams, often up to 10 key advisors managing a handful of diligence workstreams. Strong project management and communication remain essential to keep the deal on track and protect value.

Success Factors: The key is strong project management and good technology to keep everyone informed and solve problems fast. Planning early how the companies will integrate also improves results and keeps deal value safe.

Share Your Perspectives: Dealmakers - feel free to share your tips and experiences managing big, complex due diligence projects.

🌍 Global Pulse

Leading Trends in Global M&A 2025

The global M&A market is rebounding with deal value up 10% in the first nine months of 2025. Megadeals are returning—27 transactions over $10 billion closed, up from 21 last year. North America leads with 62% of global activity, while technology, industrials, and energy sectors show the strongest momentum. Standout deals include:

• Union Pacific acquiring Norfolk Southern for $71.5 billion

• Electronic Arts buyout at $55 billion (largest LBO ever)

• Alphabet purchasing Wiz for $32 billion

What’s Driving Success

Smart dealmakers are turning uncertainty into opportunity with four key strategies:

1. Embrace volatility – Use flexible deal structures and rigorous scenario planning

2. Make M&A strategic – Build always-on capabilities integrated with corporate strategy

3. Deploy AI – Leverage GenAI for faster due diligence and document review

4. Think long-term – Align deals with sustainability and technological transformation goals

The Bottom Line

With $2 trillion in private equity dry powder, stabilizing rates, and recovering valuations, conditions are improving. The opportunity is clear: make bold, selective moves now to transform your business for lasting advantage.

Access the BCG M&A Report here.

🤖 AI Tools Spotlight

FormulaBot

FormulaBot is an AI data assistant that works two ways: it generates Excel and Google Sheets formulas from plain English, and it analyzes uploaded data files through conversational chat.

What The Tool Does?: Upload your spreadsheet or PDF, then ask questions like "What were our top sales months?" or "Show me a chart of regional performance." Or simply describe a formula you need—"Show 'High' if sales exceed $5,000, otherwise 'Low'"—and get it instantly.

Why It Matters?: If you're searching "how to calculate conditional sum" or "formula for matching data across sheets," you're already looking for help. Instead of browsing through multiple websites for answers, FormulaBot gives you the exact formula you need in seconds.

Explore the tool here.

💭 Dealmaker’s Quote

“The key is in not spending time, but in investing it .”

— Stephen R. Covey

🏢 About Us

KSMC is a Toronto-based boutique advisory firm founded by Big 4 alumni driven by an entrepreneurial and innovative vision. We provide comprehensive M&A Advisory Services, strategic CFO Consulting, and tailored Accounting Solutions. Our expertise and network spans the complete transaction lifecycle—from financial due diligence (QoE reviews) and business valuations to full sell-side mandates—serving middle-market clients across industries in Canada, U.S., UAE, India, Puerto Rico, and Botswana.

Know more and reach out to us here.

Disclaimer: This newsletter is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute any form of advice. We do not have any sponsorship, affiliate, or commercial arrangements with any companies, tools, or services mentioned in this newsletter. All examples and case studies are based on publicly available information and are included for educational purposes only.