Total value of UK M&A rises in Q4 despite drop in number of deals

Office for National Statistics figures

The number of UK domestic and cross-border mergers and acquisitions dipped in the last quarter of 2023 to 367, down from 400 in Q3, according to the Office for National Statistics.

On a monthly basis, December also saw fewer M&A deals at 83, compared to 130 in November. However, in terms of value, M&A activity was higher than in the third quarter of 2023. According to the ONS, inward M&A - where foreign companies acquire UK firms - was £8.6bn in the fourth quarter, up from £5.3bn in the three months prior. Outward M&A - where UK companies purchase foreign businesses - stood at £3.2bn, a £1.1bn increase from the third quarter. Domestic M&A was valued at £2.7bn, around £200m higher than the previous quarter. UK M&A activity drops 17% in 2023 Lucy Stapleton, ...