FRANKING the predictions of top commercial lawyers that the latter part of 2003 would herald a marked improvement in M&A, recent surveys reveal a dramatic spike in activity during the third
FRANKING the predictions of top commercial lawyers that the latter part of 2003 would herald a marked improvement in M&A, recent surveys reveal a dramatic spike in activity during the third quarter.
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The latest Thomson Financial study found announced Australian M&A involvement to the end of 2003’s third quarter leapt by 51.07 per cent to US$46.13 ($67.02) billion from US$44.35 ($64.15) billion for the same period last year. It was the first time in three years a third quarter jump had been recorded (see graph below).
The value of completed deals, however, continued to plummet, down this time by 14.91 per cent on 2002’s figure.
But also on the bright side, concurrent results covering the first nine months of 2003, compiled by Dealogic, reflected a 32.7 per cent increase in deal value of Australia-targeted M&A transactions. The 717 deals reported so far this year amount to US$38.4 ($55.79) billion, the research found.