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UK merger and acquisition activity increases

UK merger and acquisition activity totalled £44.4bn in the first half of 2012, a 17.5% increase from the same period last year, data from mergermarket shows.

The energy, mining and utilities sector was the most active sector, valued at £14bn for 26 deals; a 55.7% increase in deal value, compared to H1 2011.

The jump has been attributed largely to GDF Suez’ acquisition of international Power for £6.8bn.

Foreign investment into the UK accounted for 69.7% of all UK M&A in Q2 2012, valued at £19.8bn, and represented a 61% increase on Q1 2012.

Outbound M&A in H1 was the lowest since 2009 at £17.4bn, however outbound deals for Q2 2012 increased by 85.2% to £11.3bn.

Goldman Sachs retained its place at the top of the UK deals leagues, advising on £26.9bn, followed by Barlcays, Rothschild and Morgan Stanley.

Beyond energy, mining and utilities, technology and business services were towards the top of the value tables.

Among the major deals, were Wallgreen Company’s £4,253m deal for Alliance Boots GmbH and Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group Inc’s £4,760m deal for RBS Aviation Capital Limited.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Tom Keighley .