The slowdown in mergers and acquisitions deal activity is abating in some areas, according to a report by KPMG Corporate Finance.

The total value of mergers and acquisitions globally has dropped by 56% for the year to date compared with the first half of 2001, according to the report, which uses data from Dealogic. There has been $448bn (€475bn) worth of deals so far this year, compared with $1 trillion in the first half of last year.