The value of mergers and acquisition deals targeting companies in the Middle East is down by more than a half for the year to date, according to data from Dealogic, despite a sharp increase during the third quarter in the premiums that buyers are willing to offer on a target's share price.
M&A value has fallen from $40.1bn (â¬30bn) last year to $19bn so far this year, as the credit crisis slowed dealmaking in the region. This fall came despite a significant rise in the average premium to share price of deals in the third quarter, with premiums up to 30% compared with a low of 6% in the previous quarter.
