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Value of M&A transactions globally 1985-2018
Value of M&A transactions globally 1985-2018
Value of mergers and acquisitions (M&A) worldwide from 1985 to 2018 (in billion U.S. dollars)
by M. Szmigiera,
last edited
Mar 21, 2019
The statistic shows the value of mergers and acquisitions (M&A) worldwide from 1985 to 2018, according to data provided by The Institute for Mergers, Acquisitions and Alliances (IMAA). In 2018, the value of global M&A deals amounted to 3.9 trillion U.S. dollars.
Mergers and acquisitions worldwide - additional information
Mergers and acquisitions (M&A) is an important branch of corporate strategy which deals with the combining, buying and selling of companies with the aim of helping to promote the growth of the enterprise in its particular sector. The combining of a smaller company with a larger company can boost financial power, market share and business activity allowing the newly formed company to further develop and expand within its sector. This is often made possible through the financial backing provided by investment banks.
The lines between "merger" and "acquisition" have become increasingly blurred and the terms are often used interchangeably. They refer, however, to different things: a merger in the purer sense with legal definitions aside, is when two firms agree to go forward together as a single new company rather than remain as two separately owned and run entities. This is sometimes referred to as being the "merger of equals" and takes place in the form of a merger when the companies that join forces are similarly sized and equally matched. If the companies are not equals, one company will usually buy the other and, as part of the terms of the deal, simply allow the firm to proclaim the acquisition as a merger of equals even if it was a simple acquisition.
An acquisition or takeover is the purchase of one company by another company. Achieving success in acquisitions has proved to be very difficult as the acquisition process is notoriously complex. As a rule, an acquisition is the purchase of a smaller company by a larger one. This is not always the case however. The way an acquisition develops, and whether or not it works, depends on a number of factors, crucially often how the takeover is perceived by the employees, shareholders and directors of the company. If they perceive it positively, it is known as a "friendly" acquisition, if not, then the takeover is considered "hostile". If judged to be hostile, the improvement of the terms of the negotiation would usually follow if it was still desirable for the acquisition to go ahead.
Value of mergers and acquisitions (M&A) worldwide from 1985 to 2018 (in billion U.S. dollars)
Loading statistic...
| Value in billion U.S. dollars | |
|---|---|
| '18 | 3,896 |
| '17 | 3,716 |
| '16 | 3,640 |
| '15 | 4,765 |
| '14 | 3,953 |
| '13 | 2,523 |
| '12 | 2,517 |
| '11 | 2,639 |
| '10 | 2,719 |
| '09 | 2,187 |
| '08 | 3,075 |
| '07 | 4,920 |
| '06 | 4,023 |
| '05 | 2,794 |
| '04 | 2,145 |
| '03 | 1,411 |
| '02 | 1,242 |
| '01 | 1,866 |
| '00 | 3,623 |
| '99 | 4,116 |
| '98 | 2,678 |
| '97 | 1,824 |
| '96 | 1,217 |
| '95 | 1,039 |
| '94 | 624 |
| '93 | 516 |
| '92 | 400 |
| '91 | 397 |
| '90 | 540 |
| '89 | 758 |
| '88 | 777 |
| '87 | 506 |
| '86 | 435 |
| '85 | 347 |
| Value in billion U.S. dollars | |
|---|---|
| '18 | 3,896 |
| '17 | 3,716 |
| '16 | 3,640 |
| '15 | 4,765 |
| '14 | 3,953 |
| '13 | 2,523 |
| '12 | 2,517 |
| '11 | 2,639 |
| '10 | 2,719 |
| '09 | 2,187 |
| '08 | 3,075 |
| '07 | 4,920 |
| '06 | 4,023 |
| '05 | 2,794 |
| '04 | 2,145 |
| '03 | 1,411 |
| '02 | 1,242 |
| '01 | 1,866 |
| '00 | 3,623 |
| '99 | 4,116 |
| '98 | 2,678 |
| '97 | 1,824 |
| '96 | 1,217 |
| '95 | 1,039 |
| '94 | 624 |
| '93 | 516 |
| '92 | 400 |
| '91 | 397 |
| '90 | 540 |
| '89 | 758 |
| '88 | 777 |
| '87 | 506 |
| '86 | 435 |
| '85 | 347 |
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by M. Szmigiera,
last edited
Mar 21, 2019
The statistic shows the value of mergers and acquisitions (M&A) worldwide from 1985 to 2018, according to data provided by The Institute for Mergers, Acquisitions and Alliances (IMAA). In 2018, the value of global M&A deals amounted to 3.9 trillion U.S. dollars.
Mergers and acquisitions worldwide - additional information
Mergers and acquisitions (M&A) is an important branch of corporate strategy which deals with the combining, buying and selling of companies with the aim of helping to promote the growth of the enterprise in its particular sector. The combining of a smaller company with a larger company can boost financial power, market share and business activity allowing the newly formed company to further develop and expand within its sector. This is often made possible through the financial backing provided by investment banks.
The lines between "merger" and "acquisition" have become increasingly blurred and the terms are often used interchangeably. They refer, however, to different things: a merger in the purer sense with legal definitions aside, is when two firms agree to go forward together as a single new company rather than remain as two separately owned and run entities. This is sometimes referred to as being the "merger of equals" and takes place in the form of a merger when the companies that join forces are similarly sized and equally matched. If the companies are not equals, one company will usually buy the other and, as part of the terms of the deal, simply allow the firm to proclaim the acquisition as a merger of equals even if it was a simple acquisition.
An acquisition or takeover is the purchase of one company by another company. Achieving success in acquisitions has proved to be very difficult as the acquisition process is notoriously complex. As a rule, an acquisition is the purchase of a smaller company by a larger one. This is not always the case however. The way an acquisition develops, and whether or not it works, depends on a number of factors, crucially often how the takeover is perceived by the employees, shareholders and directors of the company. If they perceive it positively, it is known as a "friendly" acquisition, if not, then the takeover is considered "hostile". If judged to be hostile, the improvement of the terms of the negotiation would usually follow if it was still desirable for the acquisition to go ahead.
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Statistics on "Mergers & acquisitions"
- Worldwide
The most important statistics
- Value of mergers and acquisitions (M&A) worldwide from 1985 to 2018 (in billion U.S. dollars)Value of M&A transactions globally 1985-2018
- Value of merger and acquisition deals worldwide in 2017, by region (in billion U.S. dollars)Value of global M&A transactions 2017, by region
- Value of global mergers and acquisitions in 2018, by industry (in billion U.S. dollars) Value of global M&A 2018, by industry
- Largest merger and acquisition deals worldwide in 2018, by deal value (in billion U.S. dollars)Largest M&A deals worldwide 2018, by transaction value
- Leading financial advisors to merger and acquisition transactions worldwide in 2018, by deal value (in billion U.S. dollars)Leading financial advisors to global M&A 2018, by deal value
- Leading financial advisors to global merger and acquisition deals in 2019, by number of dealsLeading M&A adivsors worldwide in 2019, by number of transactions
- Number of M&A deals managed by ten leading investment banks worldwide in 2018Number of M&A deals made by ten leading investment banks worldwide 2018
- United States
The most important statistics
- Number of merger and acquisition deals in the United States from 2005 to 2018Number of M&A deals in the U.S. 2005-2018
- Value of merger and acquisition deals in the United States from 2007 to 2018 (in billion U.S. dollars)Value of M&A transactions in the U.S. 2007-2018
- Number of merger and acquisition deals in the United States in the third quarter of 2018, by industry Number of M&A deals in the U.S. 2018, by industry
- Largest merger and acquisition deals worldwide in 2018, by deal value (in billion U.S. dollars)Largest M&A deals worldwide 2018, by transaction value
- Number of merger and acquisition transactions in the United States in 2018, by deal valueNumber of M&A deals in the U.S. 2018, by deal value
- Value of merger and acquisition deals in the United States as of the third quarter 2018, by industry (in billion U.S. dollars)Value of M&A deals in the U.S. 2018, by industry
- Value of merger and acquisition transactions in the United States as of September 2018, by deal value (in billion U.S. dollars)Value of M&A deals in the U.S. 2018, by deal value
- Leading financial advisors to merger and acquisition deals in the United States in 2018, by deal value (in billion U.S. dollars)Leading financial advisors to U.S. M&A 2018, by deal value
- Asia and Europe
The most important statistics
- Value of merger and acquisition (M&A) deals in Europe from 2007 to 2018 (in billion U.S. dollars)Value of M&A transactions in Europe 2007-2018
- Largest merger and acquisition deals in Europe in 2018, by transaction value (in billion U.S. dollars)Largest M&A deals in Europe 2018, by transaction value
- Number of merger and acquisition (M&A) deals in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) from 2011 to 2018Number of M&A deals in Central and Eastern Europe in 2011-2018
- Leading financial advisors to merger and acquisition deals in Europe in 2018, by deal value (in billion U.S. dollars)Leading financial advisors to M&A in Europe 2018, by deal value
- Value of merger and acquisition (M&A) deals in Asia Pacific from 2007 to 2016 (in billion U.S. dollars)*Value of M&A transactions in Asia Pacific 2007-2016
- Largest merger and acquisition transactions in South East Asia as of May 2017 (in billion Euros)Largest M&A transactions in South East Asia 2017
- Leading advisors to merger and acquisition (M&A) transactions in Asia Pacific excluding Japan from January to December 2018, by value of deals (in billion U.S. dollars)Leading advisors to M&A in Asia Pacific ex Japan 2018, by value
- Value of merger and acquisition (M&A) deals in Japan from 2007 to 2016 (in billion U.S. dollars)Value of M&A transactions in Japan 2007-2016
- Miscellaneous
The most important statistics
- Leading foreign markets U.S. executives were most likely to pursue for merger and acquisition deals in 2018, by type of executiveLeading foreign markets for M&A deals among U.S. executives 2018, by type
- Leading strategic drivers of merger and acquisition deals in the United States in 2017Leading strategic drivers of M&A deals in the U.S. 2017
- Leading obstacles to merger and acquisition deals in the United States in 2016 and 2017Leading obstacles to M&A deals in the U.S. 2017
- Total deal value of technology industry mergers and acquisitions (M&A) worldwide from 2004 to 2019 (in billion U.S. dollars)Technology industry M&A total deal value worldwide 2004-2019
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Further Content: Statistics, Studies, and Topic Pages
Statistics
- Expectations for changes in M&A deals number in Europe 2013-2016, by country
- Chinese M&A investments abroad 2010-H1 2014
- Financial advisors ranked by M&A transactions value in Ireland 2016
- Largest M&A deals in Japan 2016, by transaction value
- Financial M&A advisors ranked by deal volume in Wales 2018
- Financial advisors ranked by M&A transactions value in Finland 2016
- M&A sector share in total transaction value in Hungary 2014
- Largest M&A deals in Asia Pacific 2019, by transaction value
- Italy: number of M&A 2017, by segment
- Financial M&A advisors ranked by deal value in Wales 2018
- Financial advisors ranked by M&A deal count in Finland 2016
- Financial advisors ranked by M&A deal count in Spain 2016
- M&A activity in Montenegro: transactions value 2011-2018
- M&A activity in technology field: greatest challenges in Europe as of Q3 2014
- Private equity outlook: most active industries for M&A in Europe 2013-2017
- Leading M&A legal advisors in China H1 2018, based on number of deals
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Studies
- Mergers and acquisitions (M&A) in Europe
- Mergers and acquisitions (M&A) in Central Eastern and South Eastern Europe
- Mergers and acquisitions in the United Kingdom (UK) and the Republic of Ireland
- The mergers and acquisitions (M&A) market in the Netherlands
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- Mergers & acquisitions
- 2018 Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A) & Tax Insurance Global Review
- M&A Insights | H1 2018
- M&A Review Global 2018
- Baltic M&A Monitor 2019
- Mergers & Acquisitions Review Full Year 2018
- M&A Review Global 2017
- Global insurance M&A themes 2018
- 2019 Global Transaction Forecast
- UK&I M&A Review H1 2018
Statistics on "Mergers & acquisitions"
- Value of mergers and acquisitions (M&A) worldwide from 1985 to 2018 (in billion U.S. dollars)
- Value of merger and acquisition deals worldwide in 2017, by region (in billion U.S. dollars)
- Value of global mergers and acquisitions in 2018, by industry (in billion U.S. dollars)
- Largest merger and acquisition deals worldwide in 2018, by deal value (in billion U.S. dollars)
- Leading financial advisors to merger and acquisition transactions worldwide in 2018, by deal value (in billion U.S. dollars)
- Leading financial advisors to global merger and acquisition deals in 2019, by number of deals
- Number of M&A deals managed by ten leading investment banks worldwide in 2018
- Number of merger and acquisition deals in the United States from 2005 to 2018
- Value of merger and acquisition deals in the United States from 2007 to 2018 (in billion U.S. dollars)
- Number of merger and acquisition deals in the United States in the third quarter of 2018, by industry
- Number of merger and acquisition transactions in the United States in 2018, by deal value
- Value of merger and acquisition deals in the United States as of the third quarter 2018, by industry (in billion U.S. dollars)
- Value of merger and acquisition transactions in the United States as of September 2018, by deal value (in billion U.S. dollars)
- Leading financial advisors to merger and acquisition deals in the United States in 2018, by deal value (in billion U.S. dollars)
- Leading advisors to merger and acquisition (M&A) transactions in the United States 2019, by value of deals (in billion U.S. dollars)
- Value of merger and acquisition (M&A) deals in Europe from 2007 to 2018 (in billion U.S. dollars)
- Largest merger and acquisition deals in Europe in 2018, by transaction value (in billion U.S. dollars)
- Number of merger and acquisition (M&A) deals in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) from 2011 to 2018
- Leading financial advisors to merger and acquisition deals in Europe in 2018, by deal value (in billion U.S. dollars)
- Value of merger and acquisition (M&A) deals in Asia Pacific from 2007 to 2016 (in billion U.S. dollars)*
- Largest merger and acquisition transactions in South East Asia as of May 2017 (in billion Euros)
- Leading advisors to merger and acquisition (M&A) transactions in Asia Pacific excluding Japan from January to December 2018, by value of deals (in billion U.S. dollars)
- Value of merger and acquisition (M&A) deals in Japan from 2007 to 2016 (in billion U.S. dollars)
- Value of inbound and outbound merger and acquisitions in India in 2017, by industry (in million U.S. dollars)
- Leading foreign markets U.S. executives were most likely to pursue for merger and acquisition deals in 2018, by type of executive
- Leading strategic drivers of merger and acquisition deals in the United States in 2017
- Leading obstacles to merger and acquisition deals in the United States in 2016 and 2017
- Total deal value of technology industry mergers and acquisitions (M&A) worldwide from 2004 to 2019 (in billion U.S. dollars)
- Expected change in completed M&A transactions in Europe from 2013 to 2016, by country or region
- Chinese M&A investments abroad from 2010 to 1st half of 2014, by region (in million U.S. dollars)
- Leading financial advisors for Irish M&A in 2016, by deal value (in billion U.S. dollars)
- Largest merger and acquisition deals in Japan in 2016, by transaction value (in billion U.S. dollars)
- Leading financial advisors to M&A transactions in Wales in 2018, by deal volume
- Leading financial advisors to M&A in Finland in 2016, by deal value (in billion U.S. dollars)
- Share of sector in the aggregate value of merger and acqusition (M&A) transactions in Hungary in 2014
- Largest merger and acquisition deals in Asia Pacific in 1st quarter 2019, by transaction value (in billion U.S. dollars)*
- Number of M&A deals in Italy in 2017, by segment
- Leading financial advisors to M&A transactions in Wales in 2018, by aggregate deal value (in million GBP)
- Leading financial advisors to M&A in Finland in 2016 by deal count
- Leading financial advisors to Spanish M&A in 2016, by deal count
- Total value of merger and acquisition (M&A) transactions in Montenegro from 2011 to 2018 (in million euros)
- In Europe, which of the following has been the biggest challenge for technology M&A over the past year?
- Industries expected to be most active for M&A transactions in Europe from 2013 to 2017
- Leading M&A legal advisors in mainland China and Hong Kong in 1st half 2018, based on number of deals
- Distribution of non-Bitcoin blockchain use cases, by category, as of 2016
- Global smart & intelligent pumps market in 2018 and 2023 (in billion U.S. dollars)
- Spectris plc.'s revenue from the test and measurement segment in FY 2015 and FY 2016 (in million British pounds)
- Value of the leading leather goods importers worldwide in 2013 (in million U.S. dollars)
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