Latest news with #BradWatson
Al Etihad
4 hours ago
- Business
- Al Etihad
UAE dominates M&A activity in MENA region in H1 2025
19 Aug 2025 23:48 MAYS IBRAHIM (ABU DHABI)The UAE has attracted nearly half of the MENA's total M&A value of $58.7 billion in the first half of 2025, according to the latest EY MENA M&A Insights UAE captured investments worth $25.4 billion, mainly in chemicals, technology, industrials, and real estate. Meanwhile, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) received investments worth $2.5b in the first half of this the MENA region recorded 425 M&A deals between January and June 2025, marking a 31% increase in volume and a 19% rise in value compared to the same period last year. 'This performance builds on the steady flow of transactions seen in 2024, with strong momentum in early 2025 supported by regulatory reforms, policy shifts, and an improving macroeconomic outlook,' the EY report stated. Although deal-making slowed slightly in the second quarter amid global trade policies and regional conflicts, market sentiment remained positive with investors increasingly targeting sectors offering diversification and high-potential growth opportunities.'We are witnessing record-breaking cross-border activity as investors look beyond short-term volatility, actively pursuing scale, innovation, and new market opportunities,' Brad Watson, MENA EY-Parthenon Leader, said.'The UAE, in particular, remains a magnet for global capital, supported by a stable regulatory framework and a focus on economic diversification, while regional partnerships with Europe, Asia, and North America are opening doors to fresh growth channels.'The UAE was the clear leader in inbound M&A, capturing 50% of all inbound deals and an overwhelming 98% of inbound deal value across the region. The UAE also witnessed strong domestic activity, with 192 transactions worth $12.8 billion in H1 2025. Group 42's $2.2 billion acquisition of a 40% stake in Khazna Data Center was the largest local deals across the MENA region hit their highest level in five years, with 233 transactions worth $45.9 billion, accounting for 78% of total deal value. Chemicals and technology sectors dominated, making up 67% of cross-border deal Menon, MENA EY-Parthenon Head of M&A and Equity Capital Markets Leader, noted that the MENA's strong dealmaking in 2025 reflects investor confidence in the region's long-term fundamentals. 'Stable oil prices, ongoing infrastructure development, and a strategic focus on technology, chemicals, and industrials are creating solid foundations for sustained activity,' he explained. 'As the year progresses, we expect intensifying competition for high-quality assets, particularly those that align with national transformation agendas and offer strategic value beyond financial returns.'Outbound activity reached 126 deals valued at $24.4b in H1 2025, up 30% in volume from the same period in 2024, according to EY. 'The UAE and KSA together accounted for 87% of outbound value, supported by government-related entities playing a major role.'Notable UAE-led moves included ADNOC and OMV AG's acquisition of Canada's Nova Chemicals. Sovereign wealth funds and government-backed entities such as ADIA and Mubadala played a central role, driving $21 billion in deal value across chemicals, technology, and industrials.
Al Etihad
14 hours ago
- Business
- Al Etihad
UAE dominates M&A activity in MENA region in H1 2025: EY report
19 Aug 2025 13:52 A. SREENIVASA REDDY (ABU DHABI) The UAE has emerged as the leading hub for mergers and acquisitions (M&A) in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), drawing $25.4 billion in deals during the first half of 2025, according to the latest EY MENA M&A Insights with Saudi Arabia, which attracted $2.5 billion, the two markets accounted for a combined $27.9 billion, representing nearly half of the MENA region's total deal value .Across MENA, overall activity reached 425 deals worth $58.7 billion in H1 2025, a 31% increase in volume and a 19% rise in value compared with the same period last year. EY attributed the momentum to regulatory reforms, supportive policies, and a resilient macroeconomic outlook, although global trade shifts and regional conflicts tempered the M&A activity slightly in the second quarter .Brad Watson, MENA EY-Parthenon Leader, said: 'The positive performance in the first half of 2025 underscores the strength, dynamism, and resilience of MENA's M&A market. The UAE, in particular, remains a magnet for global capital, supported by a stable regulatory framework and a focus on economic diversification.' He added that growing partnerships with Europe, Asia, and North America are opening fresh channels for investment .Cross-border deals reached a five-year high, making up 55% of total volume and 78% of value, at $45.9 billion. Chemicals and technology were the dominant sectors, together contributing 67% of cross-border deal value. Notable deals included ADNOC and OMV AG's acquisition of Canada's Nova Chemicals and Saudi Aramco's $3.5b acquisition of Primax in South report highlighted that inbound M&A surged 53% in volume, with the UAE capturing half of all inbound deals and almost all of their value at 98%. Austria emerged as the top foreign investor, largely due to the chemicals sector the UAE also led with Group 42's $2.2 billion acquisition of a 40% stake in Khazna Data Center ranking as the largest deal . Government-related entities and sovereign wealth funds such as ADIA, Mubadala, and Saudi Arabia's PIF were also key drivers, contributing $21 billion across 54 transactions, with a strategic focus on chemicals, technology, and industrials in line with long-term diversification agendas.
Arabian Post
17 hours ago
- Business
- Arabian Post
UAE Claims Nearly Half of MENA's Mid-Year M&A Value
Arabian Post Staff -Dubai The United Arab Emirates registered some US$25.4 billion in mergers and acquisitions through the first six months of 2025, making up approximately 43 per cent of all M&A transactions across the Middle East and North Africa—which totalled US$58.7 billion during the period, according to data from EY's latest MENA M&A Insights report. MENA deal-making demonstrated robust momentum in the first half of 2025, with 425 transactions reflecting a 31 per cent increase in volume and a 19 per cent rise in overall value compared with the same period in 2024, as EY's analysis shows. ADVERTISEMENT Cross-border activity surged, accounting for 55 per cent of all deals by number and 78 per cent by value—marking the highest cross-border level in the past five years. Key sectors driving these overseas transactions included chemicals and technology, which together represented two-thirds of cross-border deal value. Among the most significant was the US$16.5 billion deal in which Borealis AG and OMV AG acquired a 64 per cent stake in Borouge plc. Domestic deal-making remained energetic too. Homegrown transactions constituted 45 per cent of all deals by volume and 22 per cent of the total value, amounting to 192 deals worth US$12.8 billion—an impressive 94 per cent year-on-year rise in value. The technology and diversified industrial products sectors were prominent in this category. A standout deal was AI and cloud services firm Group 42's acquisition of a 40 per cent stake in Khazna Data Centres for US$2.2 billion. EY's MENA EY-Parthenon Leader, Brad Watson, emphasised that the mid-year results underline how resilient and dynamic the region's M&A market is. He pointed to sustained appeal for investors, underpinned by stable oil prices, infrastructure expansion and a strategic emphasis on growth industries such as technology, chemicals, and industry. I n particular, he noted that the UAE continues to attract significant global capital, thanks to its strong regulatory environment and push for economic diversification, alongside growing collaborative ties with Europe, Asia, and North America. When compared with mid-2024 performance, the jump is clear. In the first half of last year, the MENA region recorded 321 deals valued at US$49.2 billion. That represented only a modest 1 per cent increase in volume and 12 per cent growth in value over the prior year. Deal values in the UAE and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia accounted for US$9.8 billion out of that total. Looking at the broader picture, 2024 closed with 701 MENA M&A deals worth US$92.3 billion, reflecting a 3 per cent rise in deal volume and 7 per cent gain in value compared with 2023. Cross-border transactions were the primary engine, making up 52 per cent of deal volume and 74 per cent of value. The UAE's growing prominence in M&A stems from both deliberate policy reforms and strategic positioning. Domestic investors, notably sovereign wealth funds and government-related entities such as ADIA and Mubadala, have been highly active across both home-market and international transactions. At the same time, global investors have responded favourably to the region's economic diversification efforts, regulatory clarity, and infrastructural thrust.
Zawya
18 hours ago
- Business
- Zawya
UAE drives M&A momentum with $25bln in H1 deals
The UAE has dominated the mergers and acquisitions sector in the first half of the year, with transactions accounting for nearly half of the total for the entire Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. During the six-month period, the UAE saw $25.4 billion in M&A deals, representing around 43% of the total $58.7 billion in MENA transactions, according to EY data. "The United Arab Emirates (UAE)... remains a magnet for global capital, supported by a stable regulatory framework and a focus on economic diversification, while regional partnerships with Europe, Asia and North America are opening doors to fresh growth channels," said Brad Watson, MENA EY-Parthenon Leader. Another dominant player, Saudi Arabia recorded $2.5 billion worth of deals, accounting for approximately 4.3% of the total. The investments in the two countries were mainly in chemicals, technology, industrials and real estate. Regional performance The whole region recorded 425 M&A transactions, posting a 31% rise in volume and a 19% growth in value. The growth has been driven by regulatory reforms or policy changes, as well as improved macroeconomic outlook. Continued diversification efforts have also played a significant role in higher M&A activity in the region. "MENA's dealmaking continues to thrive in 2025, reflecting investor confidence in the region's long-term fundamentals," said Anil Menon, MENA EY-Parthenon Head of M&A and Equity Capital Markets Leader. "Stable oil prices, ongoing infrastructure development and a strategic focus on technology, chemicals and industrials are creating solid foundations for sustained activity." (Writing by Cleofe Maceda; editing by Seban Scaria)
Gulf Business
12-08-2025
- Business
- Gulf Business
MENA IPOs raise $2.5 bn in Q2, Saudi Arabia dominates listings: EY
Image: Getty Images/ For illustrative purposes Initial public offerings (IPOs) in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) raised $2.5bn in Q2 2025, up 4 per cent from the previous quarter, driven largely by Saudi Arabia's market activity, EY said in its latest MENA IPO Eye report. Saudi Arabia accounted for 13 of the quarter's 14 listings, raising a total of $1.9bn across sectors including transportation and healthcare. Low-cost carrier The UAE saw a single listing, Dubai Residential REIT, which raised $584m on the MENA region is a dynamic market for IPOs 'The second quarter of this year has reinforced the MENA region's position as a resilient and dynamic IPO market,' said Brad Watson, MENA EY-Parthenon leader. 'The diversity of sectors represented, along with milestone listings such as Dubai Residential REIT, highlights the depth of opportunities across the region.' While 10 of the quarter's IPOs closed below their offer price on debut, five recorded gains. EY noted issuers were increasingly strategic about timing, with 64.3 per cent of IPOs in Q2 being secondary listings, up from 35.7 pe cent in Q1. 'Saudi Arabia continues to set the pace for IPO activity in the MENA region, attracting strong interest across multiple sectors,' said Gregory Hughes, MENA EY-Parthenon IPO leader. The Boursa Kuwait Premier Market Index led regional equity gains in Q2, up 17.2 per cent, while other markets posted mixed results. The pipeline for Q2includes 14 expected listings, 10 from Saudi Arabia, with others planned in Egypt, Tunisia and Morocco.
