Global M&A deals slump in the downturn
THE TOTAL value and volume of global mergers and acquisitions (M&A) this year has slumped due to the credit crunch, M&A information provider mergermarket said yesterday.
Global activity in the first three quarters of the year was low, down 41 per cent on last year at 5,914 transactions, while total deals were valued at $978.9bn (£595bn), a decline of 48 per cent on the same period of 2008.
The US emerged as the region with the healthiest prospects for future M&A activity, the report said, driven by deals in healthcare and technology.