Regional deals decline in value

THE value of deals announced in the North West dropped by 11% in 2011 to £11.2bn, according to data company Experian Corpfin. This was despite the number of deals completing in the North West increasing by 8% to 603.

The regional trend ran counter to the national average, however, where the total number of deals completed across the UK dropped 2% but their value increased by 11% to £229bn.

Across Europe, deal values fell by 8% to £618bn and in the USA the value of deals increased by 7%, although volumes were down 23%. Some 45% of all European transactions involved a UK firm in 2011 (2010: 39%), while the UK contributed to 37% the total value of European deals (31%).

Wendy Smith, business development manager at Experian Corpfin, said: “A 20% increase in the volume of private equity-backed buy-outs means that UK M&A deal activity has remained relatively robust in 2011, with a notable increase in the total value of deals – especially at the large end – against stable volumes.

“There still appear to be good opportunities for investment and growth across the country.”