M&A deals announced around the word so far this year total USD1.3 trillion, 20 per cent less than the value recorded at the same time last year when a flurry of mega deals pushed M&A to an all-time year-to-date high of USD1.6 trillion.
That’s according to the latest figures released by Refinitiv which reveal that despite the fall from 2018, this year’s total is the fourth highest since the company’s records began in the 1970s.
Deals with a combined value of USD337.9 billion were recorded globally during April 2019, the third highest April total in the last decade. The majority of these were domestic deals (79 pert cent) with cross-border transactions accounting for the lowest share in more than a decade.
European M&A totalled USD73.2 billion during April 2019, the highest monthly total since July 2018 although just half the value recorded in April last year. US M&A reached USD177.2 billion, the second highest April total in the last decade, while Asia Pacific M&A totalled USD55.3 billion, the lowest April total since 2013.
Deals involving a UK target totalled USD5.8 billion during April 2019, the lowest monthly total since September 2017 and the lowest April total since 2013.
So far this year, UK target M&A totals USD46.6 billion, 64 per cent less than last year and a three-year low.
