M&A deals up by 10 per cent during last year
A STUDY of M&A activity in Europe, the Middle East and Asia has revealed that year-on-year deal numbers were up 10 per cent during 2011, with the aggregate deal value increasing by one per cent.
According to research by Mergermarket and Merrill DataSite, the year was split between an encouragingly busy first half and a second half slump in activity triggered by the Eurozone debt crisis and political upheavals.
Mergermarket’s Heat Chart, which tracks prospective company sales, indicates the second half of 2011 saw an 18 per cent reduction in the number of “company for sale” stories as compared with the first half.
Leading sectors for deal making included technology, consumer goods and healthcare.
The outlook for 2012 varies wildly according to country, with Germany expected to recover strongly as the Middle East suffers from instability.