According to Mergermarket, the Healthcare sector has led Saudi M&A activity in 2015 with record-breaking deal value, a reflection of Saudi demographics; however the total value of Q1-Q3 2015 deals fell 38.1% compared to same period in 2014. Total M&A deal value of US$ 578m in first three quarters

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, 8th November 2015: Mergermarket, the world's leading news and intelligence service for mergers & acquisitions, has announced that its 2015 'Saudi Arabia M&A and Capital Markets Forum will be held at the Marriott Riyadh on Wednesday 18th November. Data released by Mergermarket today highlights a significant slowdown in Saudi M&A activity during 2015, with most deals in 'defensive' sectors including Healthcare and Food & Beverages.

In the first three quarters of 2015, the total value of Saudi company takeovers was 38.1% lower than over the same period in 2014, with six fewer deals than in the same period last year. There have been 13 transactions in Saudi Arabia in 2015, with a combined value of US$ 578m. Population growth is highlighted as a key driver for M&A activity in the Kingdom, creating increased demand for goods and services in the Healthcare and Education sectors, in particular. Mergermarket also expects changing consumer habits to spur M&A activity in the Food & Beverages industry, as more people dine out.

Ruth McKee Al Ghamdi, Head of Mergermarket Middle East & North Africa, commented:

"While there has been a slowdown in deal flow this year, there is a particularly healthy pipeline of deals in the Kingdom's Healthcare sector. Our data indicates that the value of pharma, medical and biotech deals has already hit a record-breaking total of US$ 294m from just two transactions. The US$ 246m takeover of a 57% stake in Sanad Hospital by UAE-based Aster DM Healthcare in October is the highest value deal of 2015 so far, and has significantly boosted overall values." 

Mergermarket's upcoming Saudi Arabia Forum will address the market's most important deal drivers, as well as looking ahead to key investment trends likely to be experienced in the coming year. Capital Markets and M&A professionals from the Middle East's leading corporates, investment banks, private equity funds and financial & legal advisory firms will participate in panels, presentations, case studies and open Q&A sessions.

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George Allen
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About: Saudi Arabia M&A and Capital Markets Forum 2015 
Mergermarket's 2015 M&A and Capital Markets Forum will focus on the main deal drivers in the Saudi Arabian M&A market and look ahead to the key investment trends likely to be seen during the coming year. Panels, presentations and case studies will be given by representatives of the Middle East's leading corporates, investment banks, private equity funds and financial & legal advisory firms. The Forum will be attended by corporate development and M&A teams, private equity professionals and business owners, investment bankers, financial advisors, lawyers and transaction services professionals. Mergermarket will host the Forum at the Marriott Riyadh on Wednesday 18th November, in strategic partnership with EY, Baker & McKenzie and Instinctif Partners.

About: Mergermarket 
Mergermarket is the must-have intelligence and news service for anyone involved in mergers and acquisitions. Since the company was founded in 2000 we've expanded to 65 locations across Europe, North & South America, the Middle East, Africa, and Asia-Pacific. We've also got the largest team of dedicated M&A journalists and analysts anywhere in the world. We're part of The Mergermarket Group, which is the fastest-growing business in its sector. www.mergermarket.com  

© Press Release 2015