Activity in mergers, acquisitions and flotations in Ireland fell in the third quarter of the year, new data showed today.
The research by global information services firm Experian found there were 49 transactions covering M&A and flotations, rights issues and placements (ECM) during the period. That was a 14 per cent decline on the preceding quarter, when 57 deals were done, and a 30 per cent decline on the previous year.
The value of transactions was down 36.2 per cent quarter on quarter, at €5.85 billion. Compared to the same period in 2009, however, the value of deals rose in the third quarter.
"It is clear that deal activity has stabilised in the last quarter," said head of operations at Experian Ireland Jim Kennedy.
"Deals tend to slow down during Q3 of any year, so quarter on quarter figures reflect a seasonal decline. However, the year on year view reveals that while there was a decline in the volume of M&A and ECM activity overall, the value of the deals increased substantially.
Northern Ireland also saw the value of deals decline, with only six announced over the three months, compared to 11 last year.
The Republic of Ireland's fall-off in activity was more in line with the European trend, which saw a 25.1 per cent decrease in the number of European M&A and ECM transactions announced during the thirds quarter of 2010.
Value rose by 4.16 per cent to €188.76 billion from €181.23 billion in 2009.
"Although the volume of deals in the Republic fell since last year, we fared significantly better than our counterparts in Europe in terms of value," Mr Kennedy said.