Forty-three percent of health executives are anticipating merger and acquisition dealmaking, up from 36 percent last year, according to Ernst and Young's annual Capital Confidence Barometer.
Here are three findings from the survey, which comprised responses from 3,000 senior executives across industries.
1. Respondents identified "acquiring new customers" and "innovation" as top drivers of investment.
"It's notable that innovation is becoming a primary driver during acquisitions, as it may point to an industry realization: emerging technologies like data analytics, IoT-enabled devices and robotic process automation are necessary to compete in the current health landscape," according to EY analysts.
2. Executives from all industries are enthusiastic about the global economic outlook. Eighty-three percent predict further improvement, up from 67 percent who said the same six months ago.
3. Nearly all (98 percent) of respondents said global corporate earnings will improve or remain stable.
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