Brazil's M&A deal values lowest in 2 years

Sao Paulo

THE value of mergers and acquisitions in Brazil in the first quarter slipped to its lowest in two years, as slumping confidence and an economic downturn prevented buyers and sellers from finalising deals in Latin America's largest economy.

In the year through March 31, companies showed US$8.51 billion worth of corporate takeovers in Brazil, according to a Thomson Reuters report on M&A activity released on Thursday. Some 122 deals were announced in the quarter, up from 119 a year earlier.

Corporate tie-ups, restructurings, delistings and spin-offs may gradually gain momentum in coming…