·      Large cross-border deals fuelled inbound activity to reach recordlevels

·       Total French M&A dipped during first quarter inline with global trends

·      Private equity remains key driver behind activity 

Mergermarket, the leading provider of M&A data and intelligence, has today released research showing how large cross-border deals fuelled the strongest opening quarter of inbound M&A (50 deals, EUR 7.7bn) since the financial crisis. The data was announced at Mergermarket’s French M&A Executive Club 2019 held in Paris on 16 May. 

Despite increased foreign interest, yet in line with global activity, overall French M&A dipped in the first quarter. The country saw 209 transactions take place worth a combined EUR 9.9bn in Q1, 49.3% lower versus the final quarter of 2019 (EUR 19.5bn).

Private equity remains key to activity, with three high-profile exits of French companies conducted so far this year. Insurance firm, April, was taken private illustrating France's buoyant financial services activity. The deal also illustrates the uptick in public-to-private transactions.  Spurred by favourablere forms and record amounts of capital, private equity is expected to continue undertaking high levels of sustained activity.

 Olivier Gilkinet, Senior Research Analystat Mergermarket commented: “In contrast to trends seen globally, French M&A was primarily driven by cross-border deals in the first quarter of 2019. Though overall activity slowed compared to recent quarters, dealmaking is expected to grow in the coming months on the back of favourable reforms and positive economic indicators in the country.”

 Emmanuelle Trombe, Partner at McDermott Will & Emery commented: “French companies have been particularly active in the healthcare industry, conducting the second highest number of deals in the sector on Mergermarket record in 2018. With more personalised care models driving greater innovation, together with consolidation in the medical devicesand healthcare facilities spaces, the flow of dealmaking should continue in thecoming months and into 2020.”