Medium-sized firms to dominate M&A activity this year

Merger and acquisitions (M&A) in 2007 will be dominated by privately owned medium-sized companies across a range of sectors, according to the latest edition of Bank of Ireland Corporate Banking’s Irish Business Review.

Irish companies were involved in acquisitions and disposals worth more than €15bn last year, an increase of more than 20% on 2005. Bank of Ireland is forecasting this to continue and accelerate in 2007.

Commenting on the report, Bank of Ireland corporate banking boss Pat Gaynor said: "Availability of equity, relatively low funding costs, ongoing economic growth, high employment levels, strong consumer demand and significant market confidence has created an unprecedented deal flow and activity in the Irish M&A market mainly in the private sector."