A record year for mergers and acquisitions in 2022

Four people each holding a puzzle piece.

(15.02.2022) Economic uncertainties have not shaken the M&A market. According to consulting firm KPMG, 647 mergers and acquisitions with Swiss involvement were completed in 2022, with a transaction volume of USD 138.5 billion.

Despite a decrease in terms of volume (USD -31.5 billion/-18.5%), the number of transactions with Swiss involvement rose by +7.12% between 2021 and 2022.

The most active sectors were Technology, Media and Telecommunications (TMT), with 124 transactions totaling USD 14.5 billion, Industrial Markets (89 transactions/USD 6.5 billion) and Pharmaceutical companies (82 transactions/USD 13 billion).

According to Timo Knak, Head of Mergers & Acquisitions at KPMG, this approach continues to appeal to companies looking for sustainable growth. The trend is expected to continue into 2023, with investors relatively confident despite the adverse conditions facing the global economy (supply chain, war in Ukraine, rising interest rates).

There were more purchases of foreign companies by Swiss firms (283) than sales of Swiss companies to foreign firms (152). With a total of 127 transactions, domestic (Switzerland-Switzerland) M&As accounted for almost one-fifth of all deals in 2022.

According to KPMG, sustainability is an increasingly important criterion in mergers and acquisitions: nearly 82% of industry players reportedly include environmental, social and governance (ESG) criteria in their transactions. Some are willing to pay a premium of up to 10% more to ensure compliance.


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Last modification 15.02.2023

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