South-east Asia's M&A appetite down slightly amid increased competition: EY report

Singapore

MERGERS and acquisitions (M&A) demand in South-east Asia dipped slightly amid rising competition for assets and geopolitical disruption, according to the 19th EY Global Capital Confidence Barometer.

The biannual survey polled more than 2,600 executives across 45 countries, of which 192 are from South-east Asia. Forty-six per cent of corporate executives in the region are still planning acquisition activities, dipping from 50 per cent six months ago. In Singapore, deal appetite remained at 40 per cent - the same as six months ago.