There were 13 M&A deals in Vietnam in the third quarter totaling $1.186 billion, bringing the total in the first three quarters to 38 deals with a total value of $2.754 billion, according to the latest report from Mergermarket, the leading M&A data and intelligence provider.

The largest deal by value in the quarter was SK South East Asia Investment Pte’s $474-million acquisition of a 9.45 per cent stake in the Masan Group Corporation on September 19.

The number of M&A deals in Vietnam this year has fallen compared to the first three quarters of last year (40), but value has increased compared to last year’s $1.372 billion.

In Asia-Pacific (excluding Japan), M&A activities experienced a significant downturn in the third quarter following a strong first half, amid trade tensions between China and the US. The 882 deals in the region were down 26.4 per cent by value, to $164.6 billion.

The $551.8 billion in 2,861 deals registered so far this year represents a 22.3 per cent rise in value year-on-year, marking the second highest year-to-date value Mergermarket has recorded and was largely driven by the remarkable performance in the first half.

Industrials & Chemicals remain the most attractive sector by value in the region so far this year, notching up $93.1 billion across 599 deals, accounting for 16.9 per cent of the region’s M&A value and 51.6 per cent higher year-on-year.

Energy, Mining & Utilities (EMU) was the top sector in the third quarter, with $28.5 billion, as a result of two large deals in Australia.

Outbound M&A soared to $128.9 billion, increasing 73.9 per cent year-on-year. Chinese dealmakers’ interest in the US continues to fall while Canada has become a key Chinese target for energy assets in place of the US.

Private equity activity has remained active, registering $103.5 billion in 355 buyouts, up 8.2 per cent in value year-on-year.

VN Economic Times