After a record 2014, deal-making continues to thrive this year. According to Mergermarket data, $719 billion worth of deals were made in the first quarter of 2015 – up 13.4 percent from the same period the previous year. This is the highest first-quarter value figure since 2007. Cross-border activity is also thriving, with a 12.2 percent year-on-year increase in M&A value.