PE firms expect M&A to increase in the UK next year = survey | Reuters

[ロンドン １２日 ロイター] – Private equity (PE) firms expect an increase in mergers and acquisitions (M&A) in the UK next year. According to a survey released Wednesday by investment bank Deutsche Numis, 84% of responding private equity firms expect to take on at least five to 10 deals in the next year.

In last year’s survey, only 12% of PE firms said they were “extremely likely” to execute bolt-on M&A aimed at supplementing and strengthening existing businesses.

The 200 PE firm executives surveyed said they expected a significant increase in interest in public and private sector deals in the UK. 26% of respondents said that their future projects will mainly be in the public sector, an increase from 14% last year.

PE companies also expect that M&A deals will become larger.

According to LSEG data, the number of M&A deals in the UK since the start of this year has increased by 28.3% compared to the same period last year. The financial, industrial, and consumer goods sectors are the driving forces.

Alec Pratt, co-head of M&A in Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA) at Deutsche Bank, said: “PE investors expect M&A activity to pick up next year, supported by continued improvement in financial markets. “I am doing so,” he said.

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Andres Gonzalez covers M&A for Reuters, based in London. With over 12 years of experience as a correspondent in Spain, he has reported on diverse sectors, including banking, TMT, energy, infrastructure and real estate. Andres has also reported on significant breaking news events, such as the Barcelona attacks and several general elections, showcasing his versatility and ability to handle critical and time-sensitive stories
Andres’ journalism career began at Reuters in Spain, where he honed his expertise in financial reporting. Seeking new challenges, he ventured into the world of Public Relations, working for Banco Santander with a particular focus on Wealth Management and Investment Banking divisions. His experience in both journalism and PR has provided him with a well-rounded perspective on the financial industry.