The UK saw a 24.5 per cent decrease in UK mergers and acquisitions and equity capital market transactions announced during 2009, according to data from Experian.
In the UK there were 4,269 deals announced in 2009 compared to 5,656 in 2008. GBP272.6bn worth of transactions were announced in the UK in the year, up by 0.22 per cent on 2008.
There were 8.4 per cent fewer deals announced during Q4 2009 compared to Q3 2009. Deal volumes decreased from 1,098 transactions in Q3 to 1,006 in Q4.
JP Morgan Chase announced the most UK deals in 2009, advising on 82 transactions. Credit Suisse was the best performing financial adviser by value of deals (GBP100.5bn), while Eversheds was the leading legal adviser by volume of deals (90) with Linklaters the leading adviser by value (GBP111.8bn).
Europe saw a 23.5 per cent decrease in UK M&A and ECM transactions announced during 2009. There were only 10,905 deals announced compared to 14,250 in 2008. EUR811.4bn worth of transactions were announced in the Europe in 2009, down by 30 per cent on the EUR1.159bn recorded in 2008.
Brian Rarity, strategic consultant for Experian’s Corpfin business, says: “The UK, like the overall European picture, has seen deal volumes continue to decline. Deal values in the UK have remained largely constant year-on-year, with some encouraging signs in Q4. The UK large-cap scene is relatively buoyant and there are good signs in the mid-cap market.”
