Mergers and Acquisitions - Statistics & Facts

With the belief that two companies together are more valuable than when existing separately, individual companies often consolidate with a target of achieving greater efficiency and market share through merger and acquisition deals (M&A). Although the terms “merger” and “acquisition” are often used interchangeably, they represent different methods of company consolidation processes. A merger is a combination of two companies to form a new company, while an acquisition, called a hostile takeover, is the purchase of one company by another, in which no new company is formed.

The value of global mergers and acquisitions deals reached 3.24 trillion U.S. dollars in 2016. In 2017, the United States proved to be the largest M&A market worldwide, with merger and acquisition deals amounting to approximately 1.37 trillion U.S. dollars. As far as the industry sectors are concerned, the highest value of M&A deals was signed in the financial sector.

Merger and acquisition transactions, due to complexity of the whole process, are managed by financial advisory companies. Goldman Sachs was the leading M&A advisor in both the United States and Europe, in terms of value of M&A transactions in which it assisted.

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Value of global M&A deals

3.9tr USD

Value of M&A deals in the U.S.

1.46tr USD
Worldwide
Value of global M&A deals 3.9tr USD Value of M&A deals in Asia Pacific 847.9bn USD Value of global M&A deals in financial sector 871.8bn USD Largest M&A deal worldwide 2016 Express Scripts Holding Co./Cigna Corp Leading financial advisor to global M&A by deal value JPMorgan
United States
Value of M&A deals in the U.S. 1.46tr USD Value of M&A deals in the U.S. media industry 133.2bn USD Number of M&A deals in the U.S. valued between 25 and 49.9m USD 402 Number of M&A deals in the U.S. financial industry 406 Leading U.S. M&A advisor, by deal value Goldman Sachs & Co.
Asia and Europe
Value of M&A deals in Europe 93.3m EUR Number of M&A deals in Europe 1,222 Value of M&A deals in Asia 60.4bn USD Number of M&A deals in Asia 960
Miscellaneous
Foreign market U.S. executives most likely to pursue for M&A deals Canada Biggest strategic driver of M&A deals in the U.S. Technology acquisition Largest obstacle to M&A deals in the U.S. Global economic uncertainty

Mergers & acquisitions - Important statistics

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The whole topic in one document

Mergers & acquisitions
  • Edited and prepared
  • Download in PPT/PDF format
  • Instant access
  • From $365
View dossier
Worldwide
Value of global M&A deals 3.9tr USD Value of M&A deals in Asia Pacific 847.9bn USD Value of global M&A deals in financial sector 871.8bn USD Largest M&A deal worldwide 2016 Express Scripts Holding Co./Cigna Corp Leading financial advisor to global M&A by deal value JPMorgan
United States
Value of M&A deals in the U.S. 1.46tr USD Value of M&A deals in the U.S. media industry 133.2bn USD Number of M&A deals in the U.S. valued between 25 and 49.9m USD 402 Number of M&A deals in the U.S. financial industry 406 Leading U.S. M&A advisor, by deal value Goldman Sachs & Co.
Asia and Europe
Value of M&A deals in Europe 93.3m EUR Number of M&A deals in Europe 1,222 Value of M&A deals in Asia 60.4bn USD Number of M&A deals in Asia 960
Miscellaneous
Foreign market U.S. executives most likely to pursue for M&A deals Canada Biggest strategic driver of M&A deals in the U.S. Technology acquisition Largest obstacle to M&A deals in the U.S. Global economic uncertainty

Recommended statistics

Value of global M&A 2017, by industry
Leading financial advisors to global M&A 2018, by deal value
Leading strategic drivers of M&A deals in the U.S. 2017
Leading obstacles to M&A deals in the U.S. 2017

Infographics on the topic

Mergers and Acquisitions Infographic - Global M&A Activity in 2018
Exit Strategy: Most Startups Are Hoping For An AcquisitionBiggest takeovers of private internet firmsTumblr Deal Marks Yahoos Biggest Acquisition in a Decade

Infographics on the topic

Mergers and Acquisitions Infographic - Global M&A Activity in 2018
Exit Strategy: Most Startups Are Hoping For An AcquisitionBiggest takeovers of private internet firmsTumblr Deal Marks Yahoos Biggest Acquisition in a Decade

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