The total value of UK mergers, acquisitions, flotations, rights issues and placements was GBP181.4 billion in the first nine months of 2011, an increase of 15.7 per cent on the same period in 2010, according to Experian Corpfin. This was despite the overall volume of deals falling by 6.7 per cent to 3,169.
The value of UK mid-market transactions where a consideration was disclosed was up by 18 per cent to GBP159.5 billion on the year, against just one per cent fewer transactions (549).
Rothschild has been the most active financial advisor by volume with 58 deals, while HSBC topped the value league with deals worth a total of GBP42.3 billion. The leading legal advisors were Eversheds (91 transactions) and Sullivan & Cromwell LLP (GBP43 billion total deal value)
44.7 per cent of all European transactions involved a UK firm, while 13.8 per cent of UK deals a US firm.
The value of European transactions in the year to date was GBP525.6 billion, an increase of eight per cent on the corresponding period in 2010. There were 19 per cent fewer transactions (7,091).
In the USA volumes were down in the year to date by 31.9 per cent, while values were up by 20.5 per cent.
Asia Pacific witnessed declines in both volume and value during first nine months of 2011, by 10.9 per cent and eight per cent respectively.
Wendy Smith (pictured), Business Development Manager at Experian Corpfin, says: “Deal flow in the UK has been suppressed this year, although the value of activity is remarkably resilient. The North West is the only English region to increase both the volume and value of its deals over the period.”
