The Asia-Pacific region has witnessed a flurry of mid-size mergers and acquisitions so far this year, with the total mid-market M&A deal volume hitting a record high of $117.7 billion through 440 transactions.
This is 23 per cent more than last year’s period up to mid-August, which saw volumes worth $96.1 billion, involving 359 deals, according to global deal-tracking firm Dealogic.
Globally, the mid-market volume has reached $468.1 billion, accounting for 25 per cent of all M&As, Dealogic said, adding that this is the “highest share since 2004 YTD (29 per cent)”.
Real estate and mining sectors attracted the maximum number of deals and are driving this growth in Asia-Pacific, with increases of 15 per cent and 74 per cent, respectively, in volume to reach record levels.
There were $23.9 billion worth of deals in the real estate space, while the mining sector witnessed mid-size M&As worth $11.3 billion.
The report said, “Asia Pacific currently has the lowest average multiple of the world regions for mid-market M&A, compared to EMEA and the Americas.”
Nomura emerged as the leading advisor for Asia Pacific mid-market M&A with $10.6 billion, followed by Bank of America Merrill Lynch and JP Morgan with $8.9 billion and $8.5 billion respectively, Dealogic said.