Global merger and acquisition (M&A) activity picked up in the fourth quarter of 2009, with Asian deals recording their highest ever level.
Mergermarket’s league tables for the end of 2009 showed rising activity in the market, signalling that the recession is coming to an end. In terms of value, deals rose by 36% on the same period in 2008, and by 90% on the previous quarter. Asian deals accounted for £107.2bn, the biggest ever and 24% more than its previous high in 2006.
Insolvency transactions fared well as opportunistic buyers seized the chance to take advantage of distressed companies, giving rise to a 370% increase in the value of insolvency deals since 2008.
Global law firms Jones Day, Freshfields and Linklaters dominated the tables for mid-market deals, each with over 200 deals in the final quarter of 2009.
Robert Profusek, leader of Jones Day’s M&A practice, says: “Our sense is that the level of transactional activity will be extraordinarily high and diverse in 2010.”
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