The survey demonstrated a dual situation: on the one hand, growth of the global economy as noted by both world and Russian respondents, on the other — expected deterioration in the economic situation in Russia. Entrepreneurs adopted a wait-and-see approach choosing the most suitable strategy. Focusing on the conservative scenario of economic development, business is slow to participate in sprint races, but tries to be flexible, to consider all the pros and cons, weigh possible risks and only then make decisions.

What do market participants expect from 2018? Elections, changes in legislation, continuation of innovation development or further digital transformation? No matter how the political and economic situation develops in the country, 77% of Russian entrepreneurs rely only on their own strength and organic growth. At the same time, 23% of respondents consider the possibility of acquiring or creating alliances and joint ventures. The spread of digital technologies continues to affect the activities of companies — already 39% of managers plan to develop digital technologies on their own. Almost the same number (35%) is trying to attract highly qualified professionals with necessary skills.

Russian respondents give more pessimistic estimates of their domestic economy usually in the autumn: 50% note the deterioration of the economic situation in the country, and about a third speaks of a decrease in profitability and possibility of borrowing. But at the same time entrepreneurs are building new effective strategies. For example, the number of Russian companies that are ready for mergers and acquisitions has significantly increased, 56% compared to 38% in the spring of 2017.

And this is the highest figure for the entire period of the Russian survey. And, in general, the expectations of Russians regarding the M&A market outperform the results of previous periods: 96% are confident of improving or stability of the situation in the local market of mergers and acquisitions, 92% do not plan to change the number of planned transactions, and 97% are sure that they will maintain the number of closed deals.

The increase in the market share, acquisition of innovative start-ups and technologies, as well as geographic expansion are the three main reasons for the participation of Russian companies in M&A. At the same time, Russia, in the opinion of surveyed compatriots, is the most attractive in terms of investments country, which moves ahead of such developed countries as the USA, Canada, Switzerland and Japan.