Global M&A dips 15% to $3.6 trillion in 2009

Merger and acquisition (M&A) activities globally declined in 2009 with deals worth $3.6 trillion being announced during the year, down by 15 per cent over the year-ago period.

The decline was less in volume terms as the number of deals during the year dipped by only 2 per cent despite a faster rescinding in value terms.

"It was another difficult year for those involved in M&A and global deal value rescinded at a faster rate than volume, which was down just 2 per cent at 64,981 deals from 66,472 in 2008," according to Zephyr a global deal tracking firm.

The value of global M&A declined by 15 per cent to $3.6 trillion in 2009, from $4.2 trillion in 2008.

Globally Western Europe saw the largest annual decline in M&A value with a 25 per cent drop to $1 trillion. Also volumes in the region remained down by 5 per cent to 18,386 deals.

Meanwhile, Asia Pacific was the only region which witnessed a year-on-year growth in M&A value. During 2009 there APAC region witnessed M&A deals worth $924 billion, an increase of 14 per cent over the year ago period.

The corresponding value dipped in North America was 19 per cent to $1 trillion.