PRINT THIS PAGE European private equity M&A almost double that in US since 200017/11/2003. Source: AltAssets. 
 European private equity M&A targets have accounted for 63 per cent of global activity by volume since 2000. US targets accounted for just 32 per cent of the total, according to new research carried out by JP Morgan.
Global private equity M&A volume has totalled $292bn from the start of 2000 to the third quarter of 2003. European targets raised $185bn and US targets raised $93bn.
The high level of private equity acquisitions in Europe has been attributed to a growing trend for European highly leveraged companies to divest non-core assets in order to restore their balance sheets. In addition, lower perceived risk from accounting uncertainties in Europe has also benefited European M&A activity.
The UK accounted for 43 per cent of deals in Europe and four of the top ten deals globally were UK targets. These transactions included Yell, which was sold for £3bn in 2001, Southern Water, which was sold for $2.9bn in 2002 and Debenhams, sold for $2.9bn earlier this year.
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