FDs see no end to M&A boom

FDs believe remarkable
M&A boom
will speed up in 2007, according to Morgan Stanley report

A poll of European finance directors has found that most senior finance
executives believe that the extraordinary merger and acquisition boom of 2006
will continue to accelerate into 2007.

The survey, conducted by investment bank
Morgan Stanley ,
found that a year ago takeovers were 7th on the finance director’s list of
priorities. Now, merger and acquisition deals have become the number one
priority.

The past year has already been an exceptional one when it comes to deals,
with $263bn (£135m) of transactions announced, T
he Sunday
Times reports. The next year, however, is expected to exceed
even these remarkable levels.

Gavin MacDonald, vice chairman of investment banking at Morgan Stanley, said
the anticipated increase in deal activity was a result of strong corporate
balance sheets, continuing activity from private equity and the growing
influence of hedge funds in deal activity.

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