Mergermarket's Q3 trend report shows that global M&A deal-making in 2016 has not been able to achieve the same record heights reached last year, with political uncertainty, increased regulation and decreased confidence all weighing down activity.
To-date in 2016, 12,283 deals worth $ 2.2 trillion represents a 20.2% value decrease compared to the same period in 2015. Despite this, M&A deal value has experienced two quarterly value increases this year, with Q3 ($812.9 billion) increasing 8.8% compared to Q2 ($747.2 billion).
Key highlights from the report include:
Industrials & Chemicals was the most targeted sector globally with 2,313 deals worth US$ 416.8 billion representing a 41.1% value increase compared to the same period in 2015.
Acquisitive Chinese buyers invest in 201 deals worth $141.2 billion so far this year targeting firms outside of the Asia-Pacific region, overtaking all annual deal values and volumes on Mergermarket record (since 2001).
Opportunistic dealmakers engage in bargain hunt for U.K. assets following Brexit vote, with inbound activity jumping 283.0% by value compared to Q2.
Bayer's bid for Monsanto company was the largest deal in Q3, worth $65.3 billion and boosting deal value for the Industrials and Chemicals sector.
Goldman Sachs leads the advisor rankings, having advised on 185 deals worth $602.2 billion.
