Investing.com - Wyndham Worldwide (NYSE:WYN)'s takeover offer for La Quinta's hotel unit is the first major deal in a year that's expected to see more merger and acquisition activity.
Analysts and CEOS are expecting an increase in both the number of deals and their total value in the U.S., with the tech sector leading the way.
M&A activity totaled $1.51 trillion in 2017, down from 2016 and well below the record high of $2.07 trillion in 2015, according to Dealogic.
Dealmaking was held back by uncertainty over taxes and regulation.
Some of the same factors of recent years will drive deals again this year.
Easy lending conditions will allow companies to borrow money to fund deals.
And both Chinese companies and private equity firm are expected to continue their acquisition spree.