UK-based companies were the third-most targeted for merger and acquisition (M&A) activity this year, data showed on Tuesday.
Some US$182.9 billion (£148.8 billion) was spent on deals involving UK companies, against US$132.5 billion in 2023, according to the London Stock Exchange Group (LSEG).
Overall, 6% of deals globally involved UK-based firms, compared to last year’s 4%, as only US and Chinese companies saw more M&A activity.
Overseas buyers accounted for 51% of 2024’s M&A activity involving UK firms, with the number of such deals jumping 21% year on year, while domestic tie-ups doubled.
“Financials is the most targeted sector in the UK so far this year,” LSEG noted, highlighting bids for the likes of Hargreaves Lansdown and Nationwide's deal to buy Virgin Money.
“The Ministry of Defence’s acquisition of military housing, LondonMetric Property’s merger with LXi REIT, and the Barratt/Redrow merger boosted the Real Estate sector to second place,” it added.