M&A activity increases by 8.8%

MERGERS and acquisitions (M&A) increased 8.8% in the first quarter of 2010 on the same period last year.

New figures reveal a total of 37 deals were completed between January and March, marginally ahead of the 34 deals generated in the first quarter of 2009, according to new figures from NCB Corporate Finance.

The brokers said the bottom of the downturn has been reached and the figures could further signal an end to the worst recession on record.