July 26, 2012
Mid-Year M&A Outlook
Last week, PwC released its Mid-Year M&A Outlook, noting that while uncertainty over the global economic environment and volatile equity markets significantly slowed US deal volume earlier in the year, an uptick in activity during the end of the second quarter, in conjunction with an active pipeline, indicates the M&A market is regaining momentum.
Some key highlights from the release include:
– Overall, there were a total of 3,870 transactions and $350 billion in disclosed deal value during the first half of 2012, compared to 4,606 deals and $592 billion in the same period of 2011
– In June alone, total deal value reached $76 billion, the best month for M&A value since October 2011 when deal value totaled $88 billion
– Divestiture activity is on the rise, accounting for nearly 28% of overall deal volume in the first half of 2012
– Private equity buyers accounted for 17% of activity and $46 billion in the first half of 2012