Global information services company Experian has released its latest mergers and acquisitions (M&A) and equity capital market (ECM – flotation, rights issue and placement) data for the UK, covering Q4 and year-end 2009. According to Experian's Corpfin business, which specialises in the provision of corporate and financial information, the figures reflect the trend of a traditionally slow Q4 and show the following:

UK

• The UK saw a 24.5% decrease in UK M&A and ECM transactions announced during 2009. There were 4,269 deals announced, compared with 5,656 in 2008
• £272.6bn worth of transactions were announced in the UK in the year, up by 0.22% on 2008
• There were 8.4% fewer deals announced during Q4 2009 compared with Q3 2009. Deal volumes decreased from 1,098 transactions in Q3 to 1,006 in Q4
• JP Morgan Chase & Co announced the most UK deals in 2009, advising on 82 transactions
• Credit Suisse was the best-performing financial adviser by value of deals (£100.5bn)
• Eversheds was the leading legal adviser by volume of deals (90), with Linklaters the leading adviser by value (£111.8bn)

The European picture

• Europe saw a 23.5% decrease in UK M&A and ECM transactions announced during 2009. There were only 10,905 deals announced, compared with 14,250 in 2008
• €811.4bn worth of transactions were announced in Europe in 2009, down by 30% on the €1.159bn recorded in 2008

Brian Rarity, strategic consultant for Experian's Corpfin business, commented, "The UK, like the overall European picture, has seen deal volumes continue to decline. Deal values in the UK have remained largely constant year-on-year, with some encouraging signs in Q4. The UK large-cap scene is relatively buoyant, and there are good signs in the mid-cap market."

For more information, visit www.experianplc.com