Experian, the information services company, released its latest mergers and acquisitions and equity capital market (ECM – flotation, rights issue and placement) data covering Q4 and year-end 2009 for the UK. According to Experians Corpfin business, which specialises in the provision of corporate and financial information, the figures reflect the trend of a traditionally slow Q4 and show the following:
UK
The UK saw a 24.5% decrease in UK M&A and ECM transactions announced during 2009. There were 4,269 deals announced compared to 5,656 in 2008.
£272.6 billion worth of transactions were announced in the UK in the year, up by 0.22% on 2008.
There were 8.4% 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 & Co announced the most UK deals in 2009, advising on 82 transactions.
Credit Suisse was the best performing financial advisor by value of deals (£100.5 billion).
Eversheds was the leading legal advisor by volume of deals (90) with Linklaters the leading advisor by value (£111.8 billion).
The European picture
Europe saw a 23.5% decrease in UK M&A and ECM transactions announced during 2009. There were only 10,905 deals announced compared to 14,250 in 2008.
811.4 billion worth of transactions were announced in the Europe in 2009, down by 30% on the 1.159 billion recorded in 2008.
The UK, like the overall European picture, has seen deal volumes continue to decline, says Brian Rarity, Strategic Consultant for Experians Corpfin business. 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.
D.C.