S&P Global Market Intelligence surveyed private equity dealmakers from around the world.

The study found that less than half of them thought 2020 would see as much deal activity as 2019.

Pessimism picked up frOm last year as 20% of all respondents anticipate a decline in deal-making over the next 12 months, up from 14% who felt the same last year. Latin America was the most optimistic as 67% of the managers surveyed expect activity to improve this year compares to last.

S&P Global Market Intelligence Report on 2020 Risks

Uncertainty was viewed as the biggest risk for 2020.

Elections in The United States and several Latin nations are an issue here as the choice between candidates and governing mentality is stark and could have strong impacts on the economy and markets. Investors in Asia are most concerned about the growing nationalism and protectionism that have been spreading across the globe in recent years.

More one-third of the investors surveyed said they were planning to improve the environment, social, and governance factors (ESG) in their current portfolio:

• 25% of the private equity managers do not consider ESG at all when making investments for their funds.
• 31% of the North American funds do not consider ESG in their portfolio in spite of the powerful accusations made of the industry by Democratic Presidential contenders led by Elizabeth Warren.