The Globe and Mail reports in its Friday, July 10, edition that an active stock market, significant investments in artificial intelligence and a favourable regulatory environment have driven a remarkable six-month boom in deal making. A New York Times dispatch to The Globe reports that by the end of June, global deals reached about $3.2-trillion, a 45-per-cent increase from the previous year, marking the highest half-year total in a decade (all figures U.S.). Large companies dominated the frenzy, with 44 deals over $10-billion announced, including significant takeovers and private fundraising. While the overall value of deals increased, the total number of transactions dropped by about 1 per cent from last year as smaller companies stayed on the sidelines due to financial constraints and geopolitical uncertainties. Executives of large companies are moving forward with takeovers, viewing them as more likely to gain regulatory approval under the Trump administration, despite uncertainties from tariffs and the Middle East conflict. Goldman Sachs's Matt McClure says many companies "perceive they have a window in which to attempt to affect something transformational, and now is really the time to try to do it."