Link: M&A rises impressive 14% in UK
Only 864 deals have been agreed in the first quarter, representing a combined value of $34bn (£18.7bn). It is a 30% fall compared to the same period last year, when 905 deals worth $48bn were announced, according to research from Thomson Financial.
Also down was the value of UK companies acquired in the first quarter, falling 22% to $22.1m.
In contrast activity in the mergers and acquisition sector in the US has been growing fast. The value of North American companies acquired, quadrupling to $284.7bn in the first quarter of 2004, compared with the same period last year.