Global M&A perks up in April: Refinitiv

While still below last year’s record levels, global merger and acquisition activity is picking up, Refinitiv reports.

The value of global M&A rose by 23% in April to US$378.4 billion, with all regions seeing an increase in deal activity, the financial data firm said.

The Asia Pacific region led the way with a 69% increase in M&A activity, marking the fifth-highest monthly total on record.

U.S. deal activity rose 18% and European M&A was up 6%, Refinitiv reported.

The number of so-called “mega deals” — transactions worth at least US$5 billion — jumped notably in April, Refinitiv said. There were 12 mega deals in the month, up 50% from March.

On the heels of a stronger April, global deal activity through the first four months of the year totalled US$1.4 trillion.

While this is down from the US$1.8 trillion in deals recorded in the first four months last year, it still represents the third-highest total (for the period) on record.

The number of mega deals also reached its third-highest level on record, with 41 to date.

The technology sector continues to lead the deal-making activity.

The tech sector generated US$345 billion worth of deals in the first four months of 2022, which is the sector’s second-highest total on record.

Deals involving tech companies account for 24% of M&A value so far this year, and it’s also the most active sector in terms of deal volume.

Refinitiv noted that the tech sector has been the leading source of deal activity for the last 28 months.

James Langton

James is a senior reporter for Advisor.ca and its sister publication, Investment Executive. He has been reporting on regulation, securities law, industry news and more since 1994.