Mergers and takeovers
There was an increase in both the number and the value of domestic and cross border mergers and acquisitions (M&A) involving UK companies between 2014 and 2015, the latest official figures show.
There were a total of 447 domestic and cross border acquisitions involving UK companies completed during 2015 compared with 412 in 2014, an increase of 8% or 35 more acquisitions. The value of these three types of M&A was £62.4 billion in 2015 — a 43% increase of the previous year’s total of £43.7 billion.
Domestic mergers and takeovers totalled 197 last year, an increase of just eight or 4%. But their combined value was down by 22% over the period to £6.3 billion from £8 billion.
There were 114 completed acquisitions of UK companies made by foreign companies, worth £31.7 billion in total, against 110 acquisitions worth £15 billion the previous year. Numbers were up by just four or by 3%, but their value increased by 111%.
Last year, takeovers by UK companies abroad increased by 23 in number or a 20% hike to 136 from 113, while the total value increased by £3.7 billion or 18% to £24.3 billion from £20.6 billion.
Nevertheless, the total number and value of successful M&A involving UK companies continued to show low levels of activity compared with those seen before the 2008 to 2009 economic downturn.