2016 has been dominated by the UK’s decision to leave the European Union. With this in mind, our latest survey of senior Europe-based executives was taken once before the 23 June, and then again with the same participants in the months after the Brexit vote. The result is a unique contrast of expectations for European M&A pre- and post-referendum, as corporates and private equity firms wrestle with its consequences for their businesses and dealmaking prospects.

The results show that, in the aftermath of the Brexit vote, 66% of respondents believed European M&A will be more muted over the next 12 months, compared to just 18% pre-referendum. Moreover, while only 23% of those surveyed before 23 June felt less positive about levels of European M&A activity than they did in the previous year, after the vote 90% said they were less positive about the European deal outlook.

Yet this downbeat outlook is tempered by Mergermarket data for the third quarter of 2016, which shows only a mild slowdown in UK and European M&A. Indeed, the UK still tops the table in terms of deal volume and value for Europe, although numerous other markets remain attractive prospects for inbound buyers. This includes Germany’s large market and sophisticated manufacturing base and the stable Nordic countries.

A potential upside of the Brexit vote for buyers is its effect on the price of assets. Post-Brexit, 54% of respondents say that undervalued targets will be one of the greatest buy-side drivers, compared with 39% before the vote. Among corporates and private equity firms considering acquisitions, favourable prices are seen as a key motivator by almost nine in ten.

Executives surveyed also feel that cross-border deals into Europe will increase in terms of both volume and value over the next 12 months. Almost four-fifths anticipate more cross-border M&A into Europe next year, while 61% think the value of these deals will increase. Buyers from North America and China in particular will look to snap up assets to fuel overseas growth.

Meanwhile, technology could prove the catalyst that sparks the M&A market in a post-Brexit Europe – the vast majority of respondents (80%) say that technology or intellectual property would be the most important aspect of their next European M&A target.

Autores:

Helen Rodwell, Socio Director

John Hammond, M.A. (Oxon), Socio

Stefan Brunnschweiler, LL.M., Socio

Publicación

CMS European M&A Outlook 2016 - Descargar - PDF 4 MB

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