Last year saw US$927.8 billion in M&A deals completed in the Asia Pacific ex-Japan, up 44 per cent on 2014 and more than double the US$410.3 billion recorded in 2013.
In fact, the amount spent in M&A deals in the Asia Pacific excluding Japan in 2015 is the highest yearly figure on record since Mergermarket began monitoring the market in 2007.
"The size of deals undertaken in the region increased as investor confidence grew, with seven 'mega-deals' (over US$10bn) worth a total value of US$168.4 billion announced in 2015, up from five worth US$138.5 billion in the whole of 2014," said the Mergermarket report.
Energy, mining and utilities were the main draw for dealmakers in 2015, said Mergermarket, with 337 deals at US$142.6 billion, up 50.6 per cent on 2014.
"Following 'Black Monday' and the ensuing stock market volatility, China’s inbound activity from international bidders failed to see a rebound towards the end of 2015," Mergermarket added.
"There were 63 deals worth US$10.2 billion in 2015 from non-Asia-Pacific bidders, down 32 per cent by value compared to 2014 (US$15 billion, 105 deals), with just US$487 million worth of deals announced in the fourth quarter."
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