M&A deals between India and Europe to grow

A potential surge in merger and acquisition (M&A) deals between India and Europe is on the cards, says PwC.

According to its new report, India remains at the top of investors’ lists of target markets, and Indian investors are leaders among emerging market buyers for western companies.

India’s growth has lifted tens of millions of people out of poverty and given rise to an affluent middle class. The new spending power is opening numerous opportunities, from education and leisure to personal care, loans, transport, communications and travel. Total consumer spending is expected to quadruple by 2020.

To date, the majority of the very high value transactions have been in the telecom, automotive and industrial products sectors. And a large proportion of all deals fall under the €100 million mark.

When it comes to location, the UK leads its fellow European states for M&A to and from India – but nearly all European countries have seen an increase in Indian investment, and increased their investment into India over the past years.

PwC says that in the years 2006 – 2012, there were about 875 cross-border deals between Europe and India worth about €90 billion. After a drop in 2009, M&A volume from Europe to India remained at about 65 deals a year from 2009-2011. The figure fell to 51 in 2012, as the Eurozone problems dented investor confidence.

But, says Nick Page, emerging markets leader in PwC UK’s transaction services, India’s investors are appearing more ready to mobilise resources when a good opportunity arises.

“Indian companies are using M&A not just to grow their business by entering new markets abroad, but to also to seize opportunities at home,” says Page.

“Some are acquiring brands to meet the needs of well-informed consumers with international tastes; whilst others are buying into state of the art technology to make the transition from low-cost to higher value manufacturing.”

From the point of view of buying into India, the country offers growth through its rising middle class, and young and increasingly educated workforce, and is open to foreign investors.

“The Indian government has a very full agenda, as it attempts to push through reforms before campaigning for the 2014 general election begins. Beyond what has already been achieved in the retail and aviation industries, we see the spread of reforms to other sectors as having great potential to growth and deals,” said Mukesh Rajani, head of PwC UK’s India business group.

“From our analysis, we can see that even with current uncertainties around growth or reform, both Indian and international investors are taking the medium to long-term view to doing business in India.”

You have 7 articles remaining. Unlock 15 free articles a month, it’s free.