M&A Deals in Asia-Pacific at Lowest Level in a Decade

The deal-making activities involving Asia Pacific excluding Japan noted the lowest value in a decade.

Only around $539.8 billion of merger and acquisitions (M&A) deal activities value involving APAC ex-Japan occurred in the first nine months of 2023. The total amount recorded a 28.6 percent decline from the same period last year, and the lowest first nine months period in a decade, according to Refinitiv data.

Most of the deal-making activity involving APAC targeted the industrial sector which accounted for 19 percent of the market share and was worth $102.7 billion. At the same time, the APAC-targeted companies in the M&A activities showed $460.1 billion of worth transactions, which was 26.3 percent lower than the previous year. 

Investment Banking Fees

On the other hand, APAC ex-Japan recorded a $20.7 billion of total investment banking fees for the same period. The total amount is 11 percent lower than the first nine months of 2022 and the lowest since 2019.

APAC ex-Japan fees accounted for 27 percent of the total fees earned globally. It overtakes European fees which accounted for 21 percent, Refinitiv data showed.