Number of domestic M&A deals in Belgium 2014-2017, with forecasts to 2020
In 2017, there were 47 domestic mergers and acquisitions (M&A) deals in Belgium. A slowdown in M&A activity was forecast, however. By 2020, domestic deals were expected to reach a number of 38. Increasing market confidence, however, led to a higher-than-expected increase in the value of M&A deals in Belgium in 2018. This confidence stemmed from growing business investment, an improving labor market and rising intra EU-trade, despite macro-economic uncertainty.
IPO activity not an important part of M&A in Belgium
In 2017, the value of domestic IPOs was around 0.2 billion euros. This made up the majority of M&A transactions that year, which reached a value of 0.3 billion euros. It was expected that in the future IPOs would become less important in M&A activity though.
Belgium on the receiving end of private equity
What about private equity, the shares representing ownership or an interest in an entity that are not publicly traded? Private equity investments into Belgium (with the portfolio company being in the country) made up roughly 0.43 percent of GDP in 2018. Outgoing investments were lower: private equity investments from PE firms located in Belgium were worth around 0.22 percent of GDP that year.
IPO activity not an important part of M&A in Belgium
In 2017, the value of domestic IPOs was around 0.2 billion euros. This made up the majority of M&A transactions that year, which reached a value of 0.3 billion euros. It was expected that in the future IPOs would become less important in M&A activity though.
Belgium on the receiving end of private equity
What about private equity, the shares representing ownership or an interest in an entity that are not publicly traded? Private equity investments into Belgium (with the portfolio company being in the country) made up roughly 0.43 percent of GDP in 2018. Outgoing investments were lower: private equity investments from PE firms located in Belgium were worth around 0.22 percent of GDP that year.
