Umer Khan

Healthcare-related industries were among the most vulnerable in the third quarter.

December and January combined to produce eight $10 billion-plus M&A deals, the most over a two-month period since the first of half of 2022.

Consumers spent $2.1 billion more on cars and other motor vehicles and over $400 million more on dining out in February.

The first quarter is on track to record the highest number of $10 billion-plus M&A deal announcements in nearly two years.

Two more $10 billion-plus M&A deals were announced in March, and the first quarter finished with 10, the highest total since the second quarter of 2022.

The drop in median cash ratios for rated US companies follows four quarters of improvement.