The value of Western European M&A deals has dropped 30% since February, according to the Zephyr M&A database. Transaction values fell to 43.95 billion in April from the year high of 62.71 billion in February.
The largest deal of April was Electrabels 7.75 billion takeover bid for U.K.-based International Power. Nine other deals in Western Europe crossed the symbolic 1 billion mark. That placed the U.K. at the top of the list for the highest value and volume of deals, with its 19.14 billion across 425 deals. Iceland came in second place for value with 4.50 billion and Finland in volume with 104 deals.
Private equity investment targeting Western European businesses was also down, continuing a trend seen in recent months. Value fell 34% in April to 3.85 billion compared to 5.79 billion in March.
Just one deal, Colony Capitals 1 billion institutional buyout of Smeralda Holding, accounted for 26% of total private equity value for the month.
(CG)