Over 100 M&A deals forecast for Ireland with inbound investors betting big

More than 100 mergers and acquisitions (M&A) deals are expected to take place in the Republic in 2018, marking the fifth year in succession in which this has happened.

According to a new forecast from Mergermarket, which is hosting an event in Dublin on Thursday, the milestone will be reached despite a slight decline in the number of deals announced so far this year versus the same time in 2017.

The research shows US investment into Ireland remains strong, with over 30 deals announced in the year-to-date, a new record.

It isn’t just US investors keen to back Irish companies however. Since the start of 2017, inbound investment across all sectors accounted for €88.6 billion across 170 deals.

Commission says McDonald’s and Luxembourg broke no state-aid laws

---

Lifting of milk quotas raises farming output to over €8bn

---

ECB introduces more secure €100 and €200 notes

---

Brexit: It’s Chequers or ‘no deal’, says Theresa May

---

The proposed sale of a 30 per cent stake in Avolon to Japan-based Orix for €1.9billion, is the largest inbound services deal to have hit Ireland so far this year.

According to Mergermarket data, over 11 per cent of deals was deployed by foreign investors to acquire assets in Irish financial services, with €10 billion changing hands across just 21 such deals. This already exceeds the €7.14billion in completed across 16 deals recorded in 2015 and 2016.

"The move to opt for Dublin to expand into Europe is a route that more foreign investors are likely to follow," said Jonathan Klonoswki, research editor EMEA at Mergermarket.

“Ireland’s friendlier business environment has long attracted firms, while political instability has further encouraged companies to look more closely at the country as a feasible alternative to London,” he added.