M&A transaction activity in 2022 wasn’t quite on par with 2021 but was still remarkably buoyant, according to Deloitte M&A partners Jan Fitzell and Anya Cummins.

The 2021 M&A market was the most active M&A market in terms of deal volume since 2006. 2022 has remained exceptionally busy and even as compared to a record prior year and against the backdrop of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, rising inflation and energy costs and significant economic uncertainty, 2022 will still be one of the busiest years on record for M&A.

We have seen the continued growth of private equity as acquirers of businesses in Ireland, together with international trade acquirers who have come through the Covid-19 period with strong balance sheets and a desire to grow into new markets.

While the market has cooled somewhat as compared to 2021, we are still seeing very strong levels of deal activity and appetite from buyers and investors remains very strong.

The second half of 2022 has seen a few more uncertainties as interest rates started to increase and inflation impacted on costs. However we are still seeing the quality businesses being competed for strongly, with financial services, TMT, energy and life sciences all particularly active sectors.