The Globe and Mail reports in its Friday 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 says 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 some large companies are moving forward with takeovers. The deal activity has been a boon for banks, too, with details likely to emerge when they announce earnings next week. Bank of America expects its investment banking revenue in the latest quarter to be up 28 per cent from a year earlier, while JPMorgan expects a 10-per-cent increase, according to Jefferies, itself a global investment bank.