UK M&A activity drops 17% in 2023

PwC Global report

UK M&A activity fell 17% in 2023 as economic headwinds spooked dealmakers, according to a report by PwC Global.

The UK saw 3,628 deals across 2023, compared to 4,362 the previous year. The 17% decline in the UK is almost triple the rate of the global fall, which was 6% over the same period. The second half of 2023 also saw a drop in deal volume of almost 600 deals compared to the first half of the year. The number of deals in H2 2023 is the second lowest of any half in the past five years, following the first half of 2020, which was affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. The total deal value for the year was £88bn, a 41% decrease compared to the £150bn deal value in 2022. Global investors grow s...