India’s domestic M&A deal value rises, cross-border activity moderates

Merger and acquisition (M&A) activity involving Indian companies during the first quarter of the calendar year rose to a total disclosed deal value of $15.8 billion across 252 deals. Compared with the corresponding period of last year, there was a 23 per cent rise in the deal value from $12.9 billion, while deal volume remained almost the same at 252 (253 deals in first quarter of last year), according to EY's Transactions Quarterly.

The rise in the deal value was due to a mega deal - the announced merger between Vodafone India and Idea Cellular for over $11 billion, which accounted for nearly 74 per cent of the total disclosed deal value in the quarter. Barring this mega deal ($1 billion and above), the total deal value was $4.4 billion for the quarter.

The diversified industrial products sector led the M&A activity in terms of volume, accounting for 31 deals ($533.4 million). The majority of these acquisitions were either domestic or inbound in nature with acquisition targets in the power and electrical equipment and packaging segments. These acquisitions were largely aimed at expanding market share and enhancing product lines. On the other side, the telecommunications sector dominated in terms of deal value, owing to the announced Vodafone-Idea deal.

Amit Khandelwal, partner and national director, transaction advisory services, EY said: ''The deal environment looks conducive on the back of a strong economic outlook, and healthy capital markets, accompanied by the Indian government's increasing focus on improving infrastructure and expanding digital reach across the country. Though global buyers are expected to be selective, owing to ongoing global geopolitical issues, their interest in Indian businesses will remain alive as they look for growth opportunities outside the US and Europe. With respect to the outbound investments, cash-rich Indian players will continue looking for opportunistic buys with an aim to seek access to new technology and markets''.

Domestic activity remained the key contributor to M&A activity in India in the quarter, accounting for 87 per cent and 67 per cent of the total disclosed deal value and volume, respectively. Domestic deal value increased to $13.8 billion from $5.2 billion in the first quarter of 2016, largely because of the announced Vodafone-Idea merger.

Barring this deal, the domestic deal value stood at $2.2 billion. Other sectors that witnessed consolidation include diversified industrial products, technology and retail and consumer products. With expansion to acquire scale becoming a critical element of Indian corporates' strategy agenda, consolidation deals are likely to gain further prominence across sectors.

Cross-border M&A falls
Cross-border M&A activity slowed in 1Q17, both in deal value and volume terms. While, the deal value declined to $2 billion in 1Q17 from $7.7 billion in 1Q16, deal volume weakened to 83 deals from 104 deals.

Within the cross-border market, inbound activity moderated. Deal value decreased by 51 per cent to $539.8 million in 1Q17 and deal volume reduced to 42 inbound deals from 51 deals. The diversified industrial products sector dominated the inbound front with 10 deals having a cumulative value of $224.3 million.

The outbound activity also recorded a decline. While 1Q17 registered 41 outbound deals with a disclosed deal value of $1.4 billion, 1Q16 had clocked 53 deals totaling $6.6 billion. The technology sector sustained its leadership in terms of deal volume, recording 11 outbound deals.

In terms of value, the automotive sector took the lead owing to the largest outbound deal of the quarter - €571 million acquisition of 93.75 per cent stake in Finland-based PKC Group Oyj by Indian auto parts maker Motherson Sumi Systems.

Strong bilateral relationship with the US in terms of M&A continued this quarter as well. The US was the most preferred cross-border partner to India with 28 deals (12 inbound and 16 outbound) with a total disclosed value of $449.9 million.