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Editorial
Dear reader,
Is confidence finally returning to the European M&A market?
Well, that is what new research by CMS and Mergermarket, a leading provider of corporate and financial information, is suggesting. According to our research among 225 practitioners, M&A executives in Europe are becoming more optimistic about deal flow in 2014. Nearly half (48%) expect that European M&A levels will increase; only 10% expect a decrease; and the rest anticipate that deal-making figures will remain constant.
Market sentiment in Northern Europe is significantly more positive than in Southern Europe. Interestingly, about a third of all respondents are considering acquisitions, whereas 55% say they are not.
In terms of profile, we see strategic investors with strong balance sheets active in the mid-market. New investor groups from Asia-Pacific, particularly Chinese and Korean investors, are increasingly turning to Europe as part of their expansion plans, with Russian and US investors more active than they have been over the last three years.
In the Benelux, we expect Asian and Latin American buyers to become more active. This is underpinned by a long-term decline in Belgo-Belgian operations, with Belgian buyers targeting foreign markets, and foreign acquirers filling the gap.
To find out more about the CMS M&A Outlook, please visit this page.
In other news, this month’s newsletter looks at the new uniform statute’s key points, the impact of the new legislation on pledges over movable assets and much more.
Best regards,
Vincent Dirckx
Head of Corporate M&A
