Merger and acquisition deals fall 31% to €1.61bn

MERGER and acquisition activity in Ireland fell by 31% on a quarter-by-quarter basis during the first three months of this year to €1.61bn worth of deals, according to new data from research specialists Experian Corpfin.

According to the latest research, 49 merger and acquisitions and equity transactions were completed between the beginning of January and the end of March. down from the 71 deals that were done in the final quarter of 2010.

First quarter activity was also down on a year-on-year basis. In the first quarter of 2010, €5.73bn worth of deals were done in the Republic. The corresponding period this year saw €1.61bn worth of deals completed. The volume of deals fell by 21%, when measured on a year-on-year basis, with 62 recorded in the first three months of last year.