Publication

Half-yearly Dealtracker – H1 2021

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Deal activities at record high with 42% hike in H1 2021
Contents

H1 2021 registered 856 transactions aggregating to USD 43 billion. This translated to a significant 42% growth in the deal volumes and a 20% increase in the deal values compared to H1 2020. The impact of the second wave was witnessed to be different from the first wave as the intensity of restrictions was lower and overall businesses adapted much better to the situation in light of the experience from the first wave.

Both mergers and acquisitions (M&A) and private equity (PE) transactions witnessed an increase in both deal volumes and aggregate values during the year compared with H1 2020. So, deal activity remained optimistic on the back of the expected revival in corporate earnings, high liquidity and lower rates and supportive global sentiment.

Key highlights of the publication

  • H1 2021 reported 856 transactions aggregating to USD 43 billion
  • PE investments accounting for 74% of the total volumes led the 42% growth in deal volumes and 23 high-value M&A deals pushed the 20% increase in deal values compared to H1 2020
  • Major deal activity witnessed in energy, banking and financial, IT/TeS sectors

M&A snapshot

  • 221 deals aggregating to USD 24.4 billion in H1 2021 with 36% growth in terms of volumes compared to 34% in H1 2020
  • Adani Group was one of the most active acquirers during H1 2021 having acquired five companies above USD 200 million value
  • IT/ITeS sector witnessed the highest number of M&A deals with 44 deals amounting to USD 2.5 billion
  • Notable deals: BYJU’s acquisition of Aakash Educational Services for USD 1.0 billion; Tata’s acquisition of BigBasket.com from Alibaba Group for USD 1.2 billion

PE snapshot

  • 635 deals amounting to USD 18.5 billion in H1 2021
  • Digital and technology attracted over 50% of PE and VC investments
  • Notable deals: Blackstone’s additional investment into Mphasis, investments into Swiggy, Byju’s, Dream 11, FirstCry, Mesho, Infra.market; NIIF’s investment into Manipal Hospitals and Multiple PE’s buy-out of Zydus Cadila’s animal health business