Mergers and acquisitions (M&As) among private equity companies are on the rise. The total value of M&A and PE (including qualified institutional placement) deals in January was $3.8 billion (around Rs 17,480 crore) across 85 deals, as compared to $2.1 billion (around Rs 9,660 crore) across 34 deals in the corresponding month of 2009, an 81 per cent growth.This also surpassed the pre-slowdown value of $3.2 billion registered in January 2008, said the Grant Thornton data.
“M&A and PE transactions have started with significant momentum in 2010. A considerable proportion of the value is coming from domestic deals, while there is also a clear sign of increase in the appetite from Indian companies to acquire overseas, seen by the large increase in volume and value of outbound deals compared to last year. The top two deals have been in the telecom sector, which has contributed to over 80 per cent of the value,” said C G Srividya, Partner, Specialist Advisory Services, at Grant Thornton.
The total value of outbound M&A deals (Indian companies acquiring businesses outside India) in January 2010 was $341 million (15 deals), as compared to $40 million (five deals) in January 2009. However, these were way below the $1,167-million (24 deals) during the corresponding month of 2008.
The total value of domestic deals this January was $2,167 million (32 deals), as compared to $1,324 million (eight deals) and $223 million (28 deals) during the corresponding months of 2009 and 2008, respectively
The top five M&A deals accounted for 89 per cent of the total deal value. This was lead by the telecom sector, representing 81 per cent of the market and a total value transaction of $2,087 million. Then came the banking and financial sector. Banking and financials led in PE deals.
Srividya added: “It is also extremely encouraging to note that PE investments have bounced back almost close to the 2008 levels and, more important, that more than 60 per cent of the value is pure play (non-QIP) investments. There are several indications that the momentum will continue and we expect to see many more deals compared to last year.”
PE (including QIP) deal values amounted to $1,246 million (29 deals) in January, as compared to $309 million (16 deals) and $1,511 million (57 deals) during the corresponding months of 2009 and 2008, respectively.
