M&A Report 2018 Q1

As Reported By PitchBook Data, Inc.

M&A Activity Slowed in Q1

After a strong 2017, M&A activity got off to a sluggish start in the first quarter of this year. Across North America and Europe, 4,867 deals were completed in 1Q 2018, totaling $616.7 billion in value-18% and 25% year-over-year decreases, respectively.

Though the pace of completed corporate divestitures was rather slow in 1Q 2018, 463 divestitures totaling $149.0 billion have been announced but have yet to close. We expect divestiture activity to increase during the remainder of the year, as companies look to slim down after the recent buying binge.

B2C transactions accounted for just 15.9% of deal flow in 1Q 2018. Interest in traditional B2C assets has dwindled as tech-focused firms continue to make their mark on consumer-facing businesses. Further, businesses that were once thought of as traditional B2C, such as retail, are now created as tech-focused ecommerce firms.

M&A Activity in North America & Europe

51a

Median M&A Deal Size ($M) in North America & Europe

51b

For more information about M&A activity within a particular sector, please contact Gregg Schor at 631.285.3172, or GSchor@ProtegrityAdvisors.com.