According to Lucille Jones, deals intelligence analyst at Refinitiv, despite a 12% decline from this time last year, the value of M&A registered so far this year is the fourth highest year-to-date total since records began in the 1970s._x000D_
Deals with a combined value of $210.2 billion have been recorded globally during the month of October 2019, taking the 2019 total to $3.03 trillion so far. Nine mega deals (>$5 billion) were recorded in October, taking this year’s tally to 79, down from 102 at this time last year. The combined value of these mega deals is $1.3 trillion, accounting for 43% of this year’s total M&A, the highest share since 2015.
Deals involving a target totaled $83.5 billion during October 2019, bouncing back after a slow September and taking the current 2019 total to $1.48 trillion. Despite a 1% decline from last year, M&A accounts for 49% of global activity by value, the highest share year-to-date since 2000.
European M&A totaled $44.6 billion during October 2019, the lowest monthly total since February this year. So far this year, European M&A totals $580.2 billion, 34% less than last year and a three-year low.
Deals involving targets in Asia-Pacific totaled $38.2 billion during October 2019, the lowest monthly total since February 2017. So far this year, Asia-Pacific M&A totals $567.6 billion, 22% less than last year and a five-year low.
Deals involving a UK target totaled $22.0 billion, taking the 2019 total to $163.8 billion. While 20% less than the value recorded at this time last year, it is the third highest year-to-date total in the last decade.
