Value of Irish merger and acquisition activity surges 30% in first half of the year

Partner at Philip Lee, Eoghan Doyle, said: 'Ireland is currently outperforming the global market, with most other jurisdictions facing a more pronounced decline in M&A activity volume'

The number of deals during the first six months of the year decline 2% compared to last year but the value increased to €20bn from just over €15bn. 

Merger and acquisition (M&A) activity in Ireland bucked the global trend with volume holding steady and value increasing by nearly 30% during the first six months of the year, a new report by law firm Philip Lee has found.

The report said that between January and June, there were 351 M&A deals involving an Irish business during the first half of the year — which is a 2% decline year-on-year. The total value of M&A deals in Ireland hit €20bn — an increase from the €15.43bn recorded during the same period last year.