M&A throughout 2018 showed a year divided

A spate of privatisations across Arab nations provided a backdrop to an otherwise muted year of mergers and acquisitions within MENA as the region reached USD 24.2bn across 118 deals. Mergermarket discusses drivers expected to guide M&A throughout 2019.

• Improving GDP prompts deal confidence
• 2018 M&A transactions highest on record
• Deals expected in TMT, energy and health sectors

• Italian inbound and domestic M&A deal value remains stable
• PE buyouts see highest value since records began
• The consumer sector’s market share dropped 85.5% since 2017 from 50.2% to 8.8% in 2018

In keeping with the controversy that often accompanies him, Mike Ashley, CEO and 61%-owner of Sports Direct [LON:SPD], caused a stir with one of the more inflammatory stock exchange announcements likely to be issued this month. This time, he accused shareholders of backstabbing.

Dublin once again played host to international views at Deal Drivers Ireland 2018.

Strong GDP growth and unremarkable Q2 corporate profits have imbued investors with confidence for the time being while a slightly weaker dollar is welcomed news for vulnerable emerging market economies; will a new trade deal with Mexico and a hypothetical dollarized Venezuela keep Latin America out of EM turmoil?    

With the second annual Balkans forum now concluded, we've put together the insights from the day's panels. 

Expert speakers joined us in Madrid to highlight the latest trends in Spanish M&A and Private Equity. Catch up on what insights were shared. 

• The future of M&A in Israel looks bright driven by TMT dealmaking
• Private equity buyouts reached record figures in 2017
• Stakeholders expect an increase in inbound private equity deals

• Spain has recorded 113 deals worth €46.7bn in 2018 so far
• The €32.1bn takeover of Abertis by ACS and Atlantia has pushed 2018’s figure above 2017’s full-year total of €42.2bn
• Cheap financing and strong economic performance has spurred optimism amongst dealmakers

Though one measurement shows the mining industry has seen its cost of capital grow by 5% over the past four months, 2018 could shape up to be a record year for fundraising in metals and mining. 

With so many expert views arising from the CEE M&A and Corporate Financing Forum, we've put together a cross section of insights from the day's events.