The merger and acquisition (M&A) activity in the Middle East region still showcased some stability in the first quarter of 2020, increasing in value by over $5 billion and in volume by 6 additional deals in comparison to the last quarter, according to the latest report by global law firm Baker McKenzie.
Against the backdrop of continued business and societal disruption caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, the total Middle East M&A deal activity jumped to $9.3 billion out of 95 deals in Q1, up from nearly $4 billion out of 89 deals in Q4 2019.
The top five largest deals were valued at 7.4 billion, accounting for almost 80% of total deal values. Furthermore, industries that secured the most value for its deals were Industrials with $1 billion followed by High Technology with $190 million.
Cross-border deal activity in the region increased slightly in Q1, with 63 deals valued at $4.8 billion, up from 58 deals amounting to $3.6 billion in the previous quarter.
While the volume of deals into the Middle East remained the same in Q1, the total inbound deal values increased to $1.19 billion, up from $101 million in the previous quarter.
India, US top acquirers
India was the top acquirer country for inbound investment into the Middle East for the period in terms of volume with 7 deals valued at $130 million, while the US was the top acquirer country in terms of value with $1.06 billion and ranked second in terms of volume with 4 deals.
The UAE remained the most attractive foreign investment destination both by volume and value with 16 deals amounting to $1.1 billion, stated the report.
High Technology was the top target industry by volume with seven deals valued at $190 million while Industrials was the top target industry by value led by Altavair’s $1 billion acquisition of Etihad Airway’s commercial aircraft portfolio.
“It is evident that the current global situation has caused a slow down in the growth of M&A activity in the Middle East, but Q1 2020 seems to have benefited from last year’s momentum” said Omar Momany, Partner and Head of the Corporate and Commercial Practice Group at Baker McKenzie Habib Al Mulla.
“Given the current economic environment and the level of uncertainty that exists due to Covid-19, we can potentially expect two possible scenarios moving forward. The first is a further slow down in the M&A volumes and values in the next two and possible three quarters reflecting on the global uncertainty, investors’ anxiety and shift of priorities," stated Momany.
The second scenario is that growth continues but at a much slower pace and value, similar to that of Q1 of the current year, driven by companies being interested to join forces in an attempt to mitigate losses and consolidate and driven by availability of quality assets and targets available at lower valuation. This is certainly an unprecedented time and one can only speculate as to what the short-term future will hold in relation to M&As in the region,” he added.
On the outbound M&A scenario, Baker McKenzie said the actiivty from the Middle East into other regions increased by volume and value, from 30 deals valued at $3.47 billion in Q4 2019 to 36 deals valued at $3.6 billion in the first three months.
The UAE was the most acquisitive country by volume in Q1 2020, with 11 outbound deals amounting to $352 million. Saudi Arabia was the top acquirer country by value with $2.6 billion and ranked second by volume with 9 deals, it stated.
The US was the top target country for outbound deals in terms of volume benefiting from 12 deals valued at $820 million followed by Egypt (6 deals) and the United Kingdom (3 deals).
Egypt however, was the most popular target country by value as its deals accounted for $2.4 billion or 66% of all outbound activity from the region, said the Baker McKenzie report.
Momany pointed out that the domestic deal activity also increased in comparison to the previous quarter.
"While deal volumes remained relatively flat, there was a substantial jump in deal values as the region secured $4.44 billion in Q1, up from $378 million in Q4 2019. This was largely driven by Port & Free Zone World’s $2.71 billion acquisition of DP World and Qatar Petroleum’s $1 billion acquisition of Qatar Fertilizer," stated Momany.
The Telecommunications industry led by value featuring Saudi Telecom’s $2.39 billion acquisition of Vodafone Egypt. The Real Estate industry led by volume with 7 deals and ranked second by value securing $547 million, he revealed.
"Amid uncertain times, similar to the one we are currently facing due to the outbreak of Covid-19, some businesses will likely emerge and outperform in the medium and long-run. Dealmakers will view this as a good time to make deals at lower valuations,” he added.-TradeArabia News Service
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