UK M&A activity shows encouraging increase in value

The value of mergers and acquisitions (M&A) deals in the UK so far this year has risen by 15 per cent compared to the figures for the same period in 2010.

Figures gathered by global information company, Experian, have shown that the cumulative value of mergers, acquisitions, flotations, rights issues and placements rose to £181.4 billion for the first nine months of 2011.

The figures show, however, that it is the deals themselves that are rising in value, as there was a 6.7 per cent fall in the number of deals that were completed, coming in at 3,169.

Experian's business development manager, Wendy Smith said, "Deal flow in the UK has been suppressed this year, although the value of activity is remarkably resilient."

When broken down by UK regions, the statistics showed that the North West was the only English region that saw increases in both the volume and value of deals being completed. The 489 deals completed in the region during the period were valued at a total of £11.5 billion, compared to the 479 deals and their £11.2 billion value from the same period last year.

Mid-market transactions gave a particularly encouraging outlook. The value of the deals rose by 18 per cent to £159.5 billion, while experiencing just one per cent fewer transactions than the previous year.

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