Merger and takeover market much quieter
The start of 2017 saw a lower level of merger and acquisition (M&A) activity involving UK when compared with fourth quarter 2016 and with the same quarter 2016, the latest official figures show.
There were a total of 127 successful domestic and cross-border M&A involving UK companies in first quarter 2017, valued at approximately £12 billion.
The first quarter 2017 total includes 48 domestic acquisitions valued at £3.62 billion. The final quarter 2016 figures were 90 acquisitions worth £2.36 billion.
At the start of 2017, the main deals were the £340 million takeover of business energy supplier Opus Energy by power generator Drax. In addition, private health group BUPA completed the £835 million takeover of Oasis Dental Care in the quarter.
There were 40 inward acquisitions — foreign companies buying UK companies — valued at £5.16 billion in the first quarter of the year well down on the 76 such deals worth £85.18 billion in the final quarter of 2016.
Meanwhile, there were 26 outward acquisitions — UK companies buying companies abroad —valued at £1.87 billion against 22 deals worth £3.45 billion in the final quarter of last year.