The mergers and acquisitions (M&A) market in Romania has reached EUR 3.8 billion in 2017, according to public sources and disclosed transactions. Overall, by adding all transactions with undisclosed value, the total market reached between EUR 4 and 4.6 billion, 15% higher compared to 2016, according to an analysis by Deloitte Romania.

“The M&A activity continued to grow in 2017 but more remarkably was that the number of transactions reaching between EUR 100 and 500 million reached 15, a record performance of the past ten years,” said Ioana Filipescu, Deloitte Romania M&A Partner.

Overall, there were 105 announced transactions in 2017, including those whose value was not formally disclosed, 15% more than in 2016. The energy sector was the busiest in terms of transactions, followed by financial services, but increased dynamics were also seen in sectors such as and TMT (Technology, Media, Telecom), industry and healthcare services.

Investment funds were busier last year, with 13 acquisitions, the biggest of which was the takeover of A&D Pharma by Penta Investments.

“We anticipate that the M&A activity will remain high in 2018, sustained by the favorable macroeconomic context where companies, whether national or foreign, have more funds available for investment,” Ioana Filipescu said.

She expects the consolidation in the banking sector to continue, and new transactions in the TMT sector.

“Moreover, we expect to see even more transactions between Romanian companies that will want to consolidate the segments in which they operate.”

editor@romania-insider.com