Asia Pacific forecast to lead global M&A growth in first half of 2018

SINGAPORE - The number of announced M&A deals in Asia Pacific in the first half of 2018 is predicted to increase by around 14% on-year, based on data from the latest Intralinks Deal Flow Predictor, an indicator of future M&A announcements.

Over the next six months, the strongest growth in APAC deal announcements is predicted to come from the Energy & Power, Industrials and Materials sectors in North Asia (China, Hong Kong and South Korea), India, Southeast Asia and Australia.

All APAC regions, except Japan, saw double-digit increases in their volumes of early-stage M&A activity in Q4 2017.

For most of the APAC region, strengthening global economic demand and supportive fiscal and monetary policy actions are driving vigorous economic growth and increasing deal-making confidence, the report says.

Worldwide, the number of announced M&A deals in the first half of  2018 is expected to increase by up to 10% on-year compared to 1H 2017. Over the next six months, the strongest growth in worldwide deal announcements is predicted to come from the Consumer & Retail, Industrials and Healthcare sectors.

"Despite recent volatility in financial markets, the deal-making environment continues to be supported by a strong pickup in global economic growth, low inflation, low interest rates and a plentiful supply of corporate and private equity bidders", said Philip Whitchelo, Intralinks' Vice President for Strategic Business Development.

"The recent correction in equity markets may also result in valuations of M&A targets becoming more attractive", he added. info@intralinks.com  (ATI).