Crosbie sees "ingredients" for stronger Canadian M&A in 2014
Activity in Canada's merger and acquisition market remained flat in the fourth quarter of 2013, reports Crosbie & Co. The Financial Post Crosbie: Mergers & Acquisitions in Canada database found 240 deals with a total value of $33.5 billion in this period, down 37% year over year. For the entire of 2013, M&A values totaled $158 billion, down 13.9% from 2012. However, Crosbie managing director Colin Walker pointed to "strong currents" in last year's trends. These included robust deal-making in real estate, which offset declines in other sectors, mid-market activity, and transactions led by financial sponsors, which now account for 24% of values. Walker said the "ingredients" exist for stronger M&A activity in 2014, as market conditions suggest it is "a good time to sell businesses.”
