Business
Corporate takeover appetite hits four-year low
Corporate takeover appetite is at a four-year low with only 46% of executives planning to make purchases in the next 12 months, according to a survey of more than 2,600 dealmakers across 45 countries by the New York-based consultancy. That’s reduced from 56% of executives polled last year.
The outcome of Brexit negotiations is a key concern for executives participating in the survey, the consultancy said. About 41% of the executives said they would prefer to see an economic free trade agreement similar to Switzerland’s between the United Kingdom and the European Union when they separate.
The slowdown is likely to be only temporary and the strategic rationale for acquisitions still remains strong, with EY forecasting that activity will pick up in the second half of 2019. The majority of those polled hold the view that global economic prospects are getting better.
Companies announced about USD 3 trillion of transactions in the first nine months, according to data compiled by Bloomberg, putting 2018 on track to potentially beat the USD 4.1 trillion total set in 2007 unless there’s a sharp slowdown in the fourth quarter.
Companies are taking more time to review their portfolios amid the uncertainty and are likely to divest more assets going forward, according to the survey. This is likely to bode well for private equity activity, with about 31% of participants expecting buyout firms to be major acquirers in 2019.
The outcome of Brexit negotiations is a key concern for executives participating in the survey, the consultancy said. About 41% of the executives said they would prefer to see an economic free trade agreement similar to Switzerland’s between the United Kingdom and the European Union when they separate.
The slowdown is likely to be only temporary and the strategic rationale for acquisitions still remains strong, with EY forecasting that activity will pick up in the second half of 2019. The majority of those polled hold the view that global economic prospects are getting better.
Geopolitical, trade and tariff uncertainties have finally caused some dealmakers to hit the pause button. Despite stronger-than-anticipated first-half earnings and the undeniable strategic imperative for deals, we can expect this year to finish with much weaker M&A than how it started
, Steve Krouskos, EY’s global vice chair of transaction advisory services, said in the report.Companies announced about USD 3 trillion of transactions in the first nine months, according to data compiled by Bloomberg, putting 2018 on track to potentially beat the USD 4.1 trillion total set in 2007 unless there’s a sharp slowdown in the fourth quarter.
Companies are taking more time to review their portfolios amid the uncertainty and are likely to divest more assets going forward, according to the survey. This is likely to bode well for private equity activity, with about 31% of participants expecting buyout firms to be major acquirers in 2019.
