All-Time High for Deal Volumes Combined with Record Returns for Acquirers
Contributed by Willis Towers Watson, a Partner of M&A Leadership Council
LONDON, Monday 11 January, 2016 - Year-end results from Willis Towers Watson’s Quarterly Deal Performance Monitor (QDPM) show that acquirers closing deals in 2015 outperformed their index1 by 10.1 percentage points (pp) during the year. In addition, completed M&A deals that met the study criteria reached an all-time high of 1,041 as a record number (307) were posted in Q4, more than in any single quarter since the research began in 2008.
The research – run in partnership with Cass Business School – shows the number of completed mega-deals (over $10 billion) reached 22 for the year (with five completing in Q4) the highest annual total since the research began.
Steve Allan, M&A Practice Leader (EMEA) at Willis Towers Watson, said: “2015 was a standout year. We have not only seen an outstanding number of the very largest deals completing but the M&A market has also shown strength in depth with numbers passing the 1,000 deals-in-a-year mark for the first time. Not only was 2015 marked by high activity, but acquirers continued to realise value with the study now registering 12 consecutive quarters of outperformance for completed deals and 2015 showing record returns.”
Read the entire press release HERE.