Survey of European Companies' M&A plans for 2010 conducted by UBS and The Boston Consulting Group

In December 2009, UBS and The Boston Consulting Group conducted a survey of the M&A plans which the 160 biggest listed European companies have for 2010.

According to this study confidence is returning to the European M&A market, with a significant proportion of companies planning a major deal in 2010. Yet, ongoing uncertainties about the economic outlook and sustainable levels of profitablity are likely to lead to smaller, lower-risk consolidation deals than before and might deter some companies from entering the M&A market, the survey says.

While the reluctance of more cautious companies to do a deal will prevent the upswing in M&A activity from reaching its full potential, it will also create significant opportunities for companies that are willing and able to make an acquisition before the competition intensifies and prices for targets rise. Conversely, companies that sit on the sidelines risk being left behind if economic confidence rebounds and M&A lifts off in a major way.

A .pdf-file of the survey can be downloaded at:

http://209.83.147.85/publications/files/BCG_MA_Ready_for_Liftoff_Dec_2009.pdf