More than 70% of mergers and acquisitions professionals in Latin America expect deal volumes in the region to increase next year, with private equity tipped to be particularly active, according to new research which highlights the growing disparity in regional sentiment towards dealmaking.

The survey, put together by datasite IntraLinks in association with MergerMarket, canvassed 160 senior M&A practitioners from the corporate, financial and legal advisory and private equity world on their expectations for M&A in 2012.