4 March, 2019 – Mergermarket, an Acuris company and a leader in M&A intelligence, has ranked Deloitte's global Corporate Finance practices as the number one most active M&A advisor in the world, based on deal volume, in its latest Global & Regional M&A Report 2018.
According to Elizabeth Lim, Research Editor, Americas at Mergermarket, “With so many market-moving factors fluctuating throughout the year, mergers and acquisitions have understandably had headwinds in late 2018. Intensifying trade tensions, political instability, and increased regulatory scrutiny lowered the number of deals struck over the year, though deal values remained relatively high. These deals reached US$3.53 trillion worth of activity, ranking 2018 as the third-largest year on Mergermarket record by value, with the average deal size increasing to the second-highest total value on record with US$384.8 million.”
Despite an overall global decline in the level of M&A activity, Deloitte advised on 468 transactions that closed in 2018, which was up 20 percent from 2017. Additionally, over 50 percent were cross-border, reinforcing a marketplace reputation for global scale and comprehensive M&A advisory offerings.
“Deloitte's global Corporate Finance practices are honored to receive this accolade. We have heavily invested in our people and offerings over the past few years, and we are increasingly integrated with Deloitte’s end-to-end M&A offerings across the world,” says Phil Colaço, Deloitte Global Corporate Finance leader and CEO of Deloitte Corporate Finance LLC. “This investment has started to pay dividends with a growing share of cross-border transactions and deep collaborations with our colleagues focused on delivering superior services and deep sector expertise as clients navigate an increasingly complex business landscape.”
“Combine that with market trends towards a more global M&A marketplace, and record amounts of capital, and we’re seeing tremendous opportunity in the middle market,” says Phil.
“We are proud to be part of the leading global corporate finance practices and extending the global services to the Middle East. The global M&A trends are firmly recognised in the Middle East where we continue to see cross border transactions drive mid-market M&A,” says Robin Butteriss, Partner and Head of Deloitte Corporate Finance Advisory in the Middle East.
© 2025 Deloitte & Touche (M.E.). All rights reserved.
About Deloitte & Touche (M.E.) LLP:
Deloitte & Touche (M.E.) LLP (“DME”) is the affiliate for the territories of the Middle East and Cyprus of Deloitte NSE LLP (“NSE”), a UK limited liability partnership and member firms of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited, a UK private company limited by guarantee (“DTTL”).
DME is a leading professional services organization established in the Middle East region with uninterrupted presence since 1926. DME’s presence in the Middle East region is established through its affiliated independent legal entities, which are licensed to operate and to provide services under the applicable laws and regulations of the relevant country. DME’s affiliates and related entities cannot oblige each other and/or DME, and when providing services, each affiliate and related entity engages directly and independently with its own clients and shall only be liable for its own acts or omissions and not those of any other affiliate. DME provides services throughout 23 offices in 15 countries with more than 7,000 partners, directors and staff.
About Deloitte:
Deloitte refers to one or more of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited (“DTTL”), its global network of member firms, and their related entities (collectively, the “Deloitte organization”). DTTL (also referred to as “Deloitte Global”) and each of its member firms and related entities are legally separate and independent entities, which cannot obligate or bind each other in respect of third parties. DTTL and each DTTL member firm sand related entity is liable only for its own acts and omissions, and not those of each other. DTTL, NSE and DME do not provide services to clients. Please see www.deloitte.com/about to learn more.
Deloitte provides Audit & Assurance, Tax & Legal and Consulting and related services to nearly 90% of the Fortune Global 500® and thousands of private companies. Our professionals deliver measurable and lasting results that help reinforce public trust in capital markets, enable clients to transform and thrive, and lead the way toward a stronger economy, a more equitable society and a sustainable world. Building on its 175-plus year history, Deloitte spans more than 150 countries and territories. Learn how Deloitte’s approximately 457,000 people worldwide make an impact that matters at www.deloitte.com.
The information contained in this press release is correct at the time of going to press.
Press contact(s):
Bassel Barakat
External Communications | PR and Media