Global M&A scene hit by uncertainties

Singapore

ECONOMIC and political uncertainties this year have left their mark on global deal-making: the value of mergers and acquisitions (M&A) entered into so far this year has fallen by more than a fifth compared with the corresponding period last year.

Data from corporate financial news and analysis group Mergermarket show that 12,283 deals have been entered into so far this year, worth a total of US$2.2 trillion (S$3 trillion). That's an over one-fifth decrease in deal value from the US$2.8 trillion recorded for 13,263 deals in the same period last year.