The aggregate value of the merger and acquisition (M&A) transactions involving Indian entities was $36.3 billion last year, up 22.6% over the 2011 tally, global deal tracking firm mergermarket said.
In terms of numbers, 2012 saw as many as 268 deals -- up 7.6% from the 249 deals registered during 2011.
Outbound M&As hit $11.2 billion last year.
In contrast, inbound M&As slowed in 2012 as the aggregate inbound deal value for the year stood at $17.4 billion, down 30.1% than the corresponding period a year ago.
A sector-wise analysis shows that energy, mining and utilities commanded 31.9% of the total M&A value in 2012, although the figure comprised mostly the $10.3 billion Sesa Goa-Sterlite restructuring, which represented 28.3% of all M&A value in 2012.
Industrials & chemicals continued to dominate M&A deal volumes, along with the pharma, medical & biotech and business services sectors.
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Last year began on a bullish note, but deal activities fell significantly in the second and part of the third quarter.
According to mergermarket, deal volume in the fourth quarter of 2012 fell 9%, from the third quarter of 2012 to 61 deals. The deal value in Q4 2012 dropped 26.3%, from Q3 2012 to $7.1 billion.
However, various reform measures announced by the government in mid-September and easing in liquidity conditions helped boost the deal value as well as volumes, which are expected to see a pick up going forward.
Citi topped the financial adviser league tables in terms of deal value, with 9 deals worth $18.5 billion. It was followed closely by five peers who acted on the Sesa Goa-Sterlite merger.
Ernst and Young retained first place in the rankings in terms of number of deals, having advised on 17 transactions this year, mergermarket said