Ship finance activity ebbs but less uncertainty could revive deal flow in second half
- Valuation discounts have kept a damper on equity finance, while the Norwegian bond market is less active
- Economic uncertainty has slowed M&A activity, although the CMB.Tech takeover of Golden Ocean shows there is still some appetite
- Low stock valuations make public company M&A deals less likely; more take-privates are possible, but most candidates have already been privatised
The hope for ship finance is that uncertainty over world trade clears, giving investors and owners more confidence, and fundamental shipping market strength and attractive valuations bring institutional investors back into the fold
