Deal Street eyes busier new year after Rs 2 tn M&As in 2012

A slowing economic growth notwithstanding, the M&A deals announced by Indian companies have crossed Rs two trillion mark in 2012 and a stronger deal momentum is expected in New Year on the back of various reform measures including easing of foreign investment caps.

Compared to previous few years, 2012 could still be described as a relatively quiet year, but India Inc is on the prowl again on the international markets and the New Year is likely to witness a significant deal-making upsurge in 2013.

According to tax and advisory major Grant Thornton, India Inc announced 582 M&A deals amounting to USD 41.5 billion till December 15, 2012, down from 644 deals worth USD 44.6 billion in 2011.

The year 2012 began on a bullish note, but deal activities fell significantly in the second and part of the third quarter. However, various reform measures announced by the government in mid-September and easing in liquidity conditions helped boost the deal values as well as volumes.

The outlook for the M&A market looks bright and 2013 is likely to witness a stronger momentum of deals, experts say.

A rebound in India-bound M&As is more likely, as Indian businesses are in a stabilising mode and global buyers continue to chase leaders in each segment, they believe.

"As the overseas investor starts being comfortable about India, inbound M&A would come back and together with domestic economy being better, we could look for a better 2013.

"Moreover as soon as growth momentum comes back, (6 per cent plus)...it will attract foreign investors," PwC India Executive Director Sanjeev Krishan said.

"India Inc is on the prowl again on the international markets and we believe that 2013 will see stronger outbound deal activity and continued activity in all other segments," Grant Thornton Partner, India Leadership Team Harish H V said.

... contd.

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