Activity from German bidders targeting US companies doubled in number throughout 2014, with 47 deals valued at EUR 49.5 bn announced in the year-to-date – an increase from 25 deals worth EUR 2.7 bn in 2013.

Deutsche Bank advised ZF in its acquisition of TRW, SAP in its buy of Concur and Siemens in the Dresser Rand deal, which contributed to Deutsche’s 28 German transactions for the period under review.

Other financial advisers up for the German prize were EY, Morgan Stanley, Perspektiv and Rothschild.

Sullivan & Cromwell advised on Bayer’s $14.2 bn purchase of Merck’s consumer care business, helping it to top the German league table by value for the period under consideration.

Other legal advisers shortlisted in the German category included CMS, Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer, Gleiss Lutz, Hengeler Mueller, Luther and Noerr.

View the full list of winners and shortlisted firms here

The winners of Mergermarket’s M&A Awards are decided through an independent process of Mergermarket league table data analysis and the expert opinion from a panel of independent judges