Global M&A totalled $2,243.8 billion in 2012 compared to $2,243.9bn in 2011, according to a Merger Market report which also flagged up promising figures towards the end of the year.
Reversing the pattern
The second half on 2012 was up 19.6 per cent on the first, reversing the pattern seen in 2011 and also producing the most productive second half since 2007.
Last year’s fourth quarter produced $737.2bn in deals, the highest quarter since the third of 2007 and nearly a 60 per cent increase on the previous year’s figure.
However, compared overall to the highs of 2007, the figures are down by nearly 39 per cent.
Agricultural boost
According to the study, agriculture, consumer, media, construction, defence, transport and business services all improved deal values compared to the previous year. Agriculture saw the greatest increase on 2011 levels with a 60 per cent boost.
The eurozone suffered the most disappointing results, with deals in the region accounting for just 13 per cent of global M&A, down from 16 per cent in 2011 and the worst year for Europe since 2009. However, European countries outside the Eurozone accounted for nearly 18 per cent of global M&A, up from 16.4 per cent in 2011.
New York law firm Skadden took the accolade for the being the world’s lead advisor with involvement in four of the biggest global deals totalling $327bn.
Email your news and story ideas to: [email protected]
