M&A deals decline in Q1CY19, PE activity remains robust: EY India

Domestic deals saved the day for deal-makers in Q1CY19, with 158 deals accounting for an aggregate disclosed value of $7.1 billion

After a record year for Indian M&A, deal-makers paused a little in the first quarter of 2019, thanks to a subdued global M&A market. Besides, the uncertainty around general elections results also appear to have added to the sub-par performance. 

According to an EY quarterly report, M&A activity in Q1CY2019 (January-March) fell to 242 deals valuing $9.9 billion, from 260 deals having a disclosed deal value of $21.6 billion in Q1CY18. Deal activity in the first quarter fell 7 per cent in volume terms and 54 per cent in value terms.

While it was a soft quarter, the activity remained