M&A volumes forecast to slow after solid run

The total value of mergers and acquisitions topped $467 billion (£353bn) globally during the first two months of 2019 but activity is set to cool, a new report suggests.

Professional services giant Deloitte said its research pointed to a slowdown of between 4 per cent and 7 per cent in M&A deal volumes by the end of the first quarter, compared to the opening quarter of 2018.

The prospect of a Us-china trade war and a rise in economic and political uncertainties are weighing on M&A markets, it noted.

Gavin Hood, partner at Deloitte in Scotland, said: “The last five years have witnessed an unprecedented bull run in the global M&A markets, leading to significant increase in cross-border activity in Scotland and the UK more generally. Disruptive technologies are transforming industries and laying bare well-established business models. This is driving a fundamental shift in M&A strategy.”