Dealmakers are anticipating a slowdown in global mergers and acquisitions (M&A) in the fourth quarter of 2024 as companies delay pursuing significant targets ahead of the US elections, according to Reuters. Despite a decline in overall M&A volumes, the third quarter saw a notable level of activity, particularly among large corporate entities. Q3 data reveals that 252 deals were made by startups acquiring other startups in the US during the first two-thirds of the year, representing 39% of all M&A deals for US-based startups, the highest percentage in a decade. Venture-backed companies are also seeing an increase in deal volume year-over-year, driven by private equity firms leading many of the largest transactions. Experts hope this slowdown will be a temporary setback, with a rebound expected next year.