ONS Q2 M&A activity for UK companies
• In quarter 2 (Apr to Jun) 2015 the total number of mergers and acquisitions (M&A) involving UK
companies continued to record historically low levels of activity.
• There were 93 successful domestic and cross-border M&A transactions involving UK companies
reported in quarter 2 (Apr to Jun) 2015, compared with 118 in quarter 1 (Jan to Mar) 2015.
• In quarter 2 (Apr to Jun) 2015 there were 46 completed domestic acquisitions (UK companies
acquiring other UK companies). This is similar to the level of domestic M&A activity reported at
quarter 1 (Jan to Mar) 2015 (43 transactions).
• In quarter 2 (Apr to Jun) 2015 there were 21 completed inward acquisitions of UK companies
made by foreign companies, the lowest number since quarter 1 (Jan to Mar) 2013, when 19
transactions were reported.
• The number of mergers and acquisitions made abroad by UK companies (outward M&A) fell to
26 in quarter 2 (Apr to Jun) 2015, from 48 in quarter 1 (Jan to Mar) 2015.
Summary
This release covers mergers and acquisitions (M&A) transactions that result in a change of ultimate control of the target company and have a value of £1m or more. Information on the number and value of transactions are reported, in addition to whether transactions are acquisitions or disposals.
Figures relating to mergers are included within acquisitions and those relating to demergers are contained within disposals. These statistics are presented on a current price basis, which are prices as they were at the time of measurement and are therefore not adjusted for inflation.
In Q2 2015 there were a total of 93 successful domestic and cross-border mergers and acquisitions involving UK companies. This included 46 domestic transactions, 21 inward transactions and 26 outward transactions representing a 21% fall on Q1 2015 (118) and a 11% fall on the number recorded in Q2 2014 (104).
The quarterly numbers and value of M&A activity are prone to large quarter-on-quarter movements, as these data relate to specific ‘one time’ only transactions. For example, one quarter can be heavily impacted by one large transaction. This is particularly the case for the deal value. Therefore it can be more appropriate to analyse trends over time. Overall, during Q2 2015 the total number of domestic and cross-borders mergers and acquisitions involving UK companies remained at a much lower level than before and immediately after the 2008-09 the economic downturn.
Please see the ONS website here for the full release