Asia-Pacific records highest volume of billion-dollar deals  

December 24, 2009

The Asia-Pacific region attracted as many as $89 billion-dollar deals—the highest total on record —worth over $292 billion so far this year, reports PTI.

"Asia-Pacific deals over $1 billion reached $292.10 billion via 89 deals in 2009, up 44% on 2008, making it the highest total on record," global deal tracking firm Dealogic said.

The Asia-Pacific region attracted nearly one-fifth of the entire pie of 'billion-dollar' deals across the world, so far this year, Dealogic said. "Asia-Pacific targeted deals accounted for almost 20% of global deals over $1 billion, up 9 percentage points on last year."

Inbound cross-regional deals, however, accounted for just 12% of total Asia-Pacific volume, down 4 percentage points compared to that in 2008, the report added.

Within the Asia-Pacific region, Australia was the most targeted nation as it attracted $128.20 billion through billion-dollar deals announced during the year.

The $58-billion merger of BHP Billiton and Rio Tinto iron ore assets was the major reason that propelled the Australia targeted deal volume to more than $128 billion, Dealogic said.

India was one of the top 10 nations in terms of billion-dollar transactions, as it attracted billion-dollar deals amounting to over $7.40 billion.

Other than Australia and India, the top 10 targeted nations in terms of billion-dollar deals include Japan, China, Taiwan, South Korea, Singapore, Philippines, Indonesia and Hong Kong.

Of the top 10 nations, five witnessed a decline in deal volume on a year-on-year basis and four saw an increase despite recessionary fears, the report said.

Goldman Sachs was the top adviser on Asia-Pacific targeted deals over $1 billion, as it advised on 18 transactions worth $111.50 billion. The other top M&A advisers include Morgan Stanley and Macquarie.

"Morgan Stanley was the second with $93.60 billion through 19 deals, and Macquarie was in the third place with $83.70 billion by way of seven deals," Dealogic added.

— Yogesh Sapkale