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Europe witnessed growth in mergers and acquisition (M&A) deal volume and value in the fourth quarter (Q4) of 2019 amidst uncertainty around Brexit and the UK general election.M&A activity reported growth within Europe, with the region seeing an increase from 2,024 deals worth around US$120bn in Q4 2018 to 2,111 M&A deals worth around US$130bn in Q4 2019, says GlobalData, a leading data and analytics company.

Some of the notable M&A deals announced during Q4 2019 included the merger of International Flavors & Fragrances with DuPont Nutrition & Biosciences for US$26.2bn, the acquisition of InterXion by Digital Realty for US$8.4bn, and the merger of Flutter Entertainment with Stars Group for US$6bn.

The UK, Germany, France, the Netherlands and Spain deal activity* collectively accounted for around 64.8% in total value and 59.3% in total volume in Q4 2019, with the UK occupying the top position followed by Germany and France.

Among these countries, deal activity in France remained relatively sluggish with the country witnessing decline in both overall deal volume and value in Q4 2019 compared to Q4 2018. Spain was the other country to witness decline in overall deal value in Q4 2019, however it witnessed significant growth in deal volume.

The power sector accounted for 22% of the top 50 deals, followed by the technology sector, which accounted for a 10% share. Financial services, pharmaceuticals and healthcare, construction and real estate, transport and logistics, and travel and tourism accounted for 6% each of the top 50 deals.

Top power deals announced during Q4 2019 included the acquisition of Sorgenia by F2i and Asterion for US$1.1bn and the acquisition of AquaVenture by Culligan for US$1.1bn. Top deals within the technology sector during the same period included the acquisition of Covage by SFR FTTH for US$1.1bn and the acquisition of Competence Call Center by TELUS International for US$1bn.

* By M&A deal value and volume in 2019