M&A activity for the year as a whole was most intense in the TMT (technology, media and telecommunications) sector
Keystone / Obs/caritas Schweiz / Caritas Su
The coronavirus pandemic left its mark on mergers and acquisitions (M&A) in Switzerland last year. The volume of transactions halved, and the number of deals was also down.
This content was published on
2 minutes
Keystone-SDA/ts
Overall, the number of transactions with Swiss participation fell from 402 to 363. At $63.1 billion (CHF56 billion), the transaction volume was only half what it was in 2019 – mainly owing to the absence of mega-deals, consultants KPMG said on Thursday.
In the second quarter in particular the M&A market suffered a severe slump. Only 74 transactions were completed, the lowest number since the beginning of 2017, while the transaction volume of $7.1 billion was the lowest quarterly figure since the end of 2015.
M&A activity for the year as a whole was most intense in the TMT (technology, media and telecommunications) sector. In 2020 more than a fifth of all transactions and more than a third of the transaction volume were attributable to this sector. The two largest deals were also completed in this sector (the purchase of Sunrise by Liberty Global and the merger of CPA Global with Clarivate Analytics).
Swiss companies also acquired significantly more foreign companies last year than the other way around. In 154 cases (42% of transactions) foreign companies were acquired by Swiss companies and in 84 cases (23%) Swiss companies were acquired by foreign companies.
For 2021 KPMG expects a “moderate” development in the M&A market, predicting momentum to increase in the e-commerce sector in particular.
More
More
Coronavirus: the situation in Switzerland
This content was published on
An overview of the latest Covid-related information in the Alpine nation.
As a Swiss Abroad, how do you feel about the emergence of more conservative family policies in some US states?
In recent years several US states have adopted more conservative policies on family issues, abortion and education. As a Swiss citizen living there, how do you view this development?
What factors should be taken into account when inheriting Swiss citizenship abroad?
Should there be a limit to the passing on of Swiss citizenship? Or is the current practice too strict and it should still be possible to register after the age of 25?
This content was published on
The value of frozen Russian assets in Switzerland currently stands at CHF 7.4 billion, the Swiss Confederation announced on Tuesday. This represents an increase of CHF 1.6 billion in one year. Additional assets have been identified, according to the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs.
This content was published on
The number of business start-ups in Switzerland accelerated in the first three months of the year, with entrepreneurs being particularly dynamic in Central Switzerland, Basel and Geneva.
Most Swiss authorities want to ban Nazi symbols in public
This content was published on
A majority of Swiss political parties, cantons and associations want to ban the use and distribution of Nazi symbols in public.
This content was published on
French and Swiss armoured and artillery units will train together to strengthen the defence capabilities of the Swiss army.
Harmful substances in particulate matter underestimated: Swiss research
This content was published on
Measurements significantly underestimate the amount of harmful substances in particulate matter, says an international research team under Swiss leadership.
Switzerland reopens its humanitarian office in Kabul
This content was published on
Switzerland opened its humanitarian office in Kabul in mid-March to provide targeted aid to the Afghan population in distress.
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.
Read more
More
Massive decline in foreign investment in Switzerland expected
This content was published on
An increase in foreign direct investment in 2019 is likely to be followed by a drop of up to 50% in 2020 due to the impact of Covid-19.
Swiss firms in record number of mergers and acquisitions
This content was published on
The number of merger and acquisition deals involving Swiss companies hit a record high in 2018, according to a report by consultancy firm KPMG.
You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here . Please join us!
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.