MergerWare M&A Bulletin – 30th, April 2019

Top 5 M&A destinations – 1st Quarter 2019

The top M&A destinations of choice are countries embroiled in trade uncertainties, suggesting that
companies planning deals are actively looking to get ahead of potential geo-political disruption.

Country Focus – USA

• USA has had the largest M&A activity in terms of transaction value and has remained strong despite geopolitical tensions.

• Between 1985 and 2018, companies from China and Hong Kong have announced more than 1849 Acquisitions with a total value of
US$ 296.4 Billion.

• USA noted 3221 deals in the first quarter dominated by the commercial services sector with 552 deals.

• Top US M&A sector trends to watch in private equity, advanced manufacturing, consumer products
and retail, financial services, life sciences, media and entertainment and technology.

Top M&A News of the Week

• Commerzbank and Deutsche Bank announced
Thursday that they’ve ended merger talks
following months of speculation around a deal.

• A bidding war for Anadarko could be brewing
between rival oil producers Occidental
Petroleum and Chevron.

• PayPal to invest US $500 million in Uber:Refinitiv IFR reported.

• Naspers is handing over its entire equity interest in MakeMyTrip in exchange for newly issued shares.

• Saudi Aramco considering a stake in Reliance’s
refining and petrochemical unit: The Times of
India reported.

Trends of the Week

• The M&A market is expected to rise as
trade analysts predict an improving deal
environment in the coming weeks.

• Technology disruption and the rise of private capital continue to be major themes in M&A.

• Uncertainty over governmental involvement in the deal making process is an emerging challenge globally.

• Companies are allocating M&A capital to
businesses they see as essential to their core, and are more open to shedding those that are not.