The Romanian mergers and acquisitions (M&A) market recorded 91 transactions in 2020, compared to 110, in 2019. According to Deloitte estimations, the total market value, including the transactions with undisclosed values, was of 3.7-4.3 billion euros in 2020 (compared to 4-4.4 billion euros in 2019), while transactions with disclosed value totalled 1.5 billion euros (compared to 1.7 billion euros in 2019).
“2020 saw a decrease in the number of transactions compared to the previous year, which represented a record for the period after the financial crisis, but, considering the unprecedented general context created by the COVID-19 pandemic, we can say these are good results. A quarterly analysis indicates that the second quarter was the most affected, and the following ones saw a notable revival. 2020 also brought the largest transaction of the last decade: the acquisition of assets owned by CEZ in Romania,” stated Radu Dumitrescu, Financial Advisory Partner-in-charge, Deloitte Romania.
Nine transactions with a disclosed or estimated value of minimum 100 million euros were announced last year. In 2019, their number was similar.
“The local M&A activity is fuelled by a real interest of both financial and especially strategic investors for sectors with growth potential. We have noticed important names of strategic investors targeting the Romanian market for the first time, a phenomenon that suggests an increasing interest for new expansion opportunities in the context of reassessing their strategic plans,” said Iulia Bratu, Corporate Finance Director, Deloitte Romania.
The largest deals of 2020 were:
The most active sectors considering the number of transactions were real estate (including construction), energy and the financial sector. Together, they generated 50 transactions. From the deal value point of view, the most active sector was real estate, followed by technology and energy.
“Our expectations for the M&A evolution during 2021 are optimistic, but reserved. There are signals that the market players will maintain their interest in transactions this year, both on the sell side and on the buy side, but, considering the uncertainty that governs the entire economic spectrum as the pandemic continues, we remain prudent,” added Radu Dumitrescu.
The Romanian M&A market in 2020 versus 2019
*Note: The analysis includes deals with disclosed values larger than 5 million euros. The data is collected from public sources and is kept up-to-date according to the latest available information.
Deloitte Romania coordinates an integrated multidisciplinary M&A practice, with a holistic approach that ranges across multiple service lines, including M&A Advisory, Transaction Services, Fiscal Advisory and Legal Advisory. Deloitte teams of skilled professionals can thus cover all relevant aspects of a transaction.
Deloitte provides worldwide audit, consulting, legal, financial advisory, risk advisory, tax and related services to public and private clients spanning multiple industries. Deloitte serves four out of five Fortune Global 500 companies through a globally connected network of member firms in more than 150 countries and territories, bringing world-class capabilities, insights, and high-quality service to address clients' most complex business challenges. Deloitte's goal is to make an impact that matters through its more than 330,000 professionals.
Deloitte Romania is one of the leading professional services organizations in the country providing, in cooperation with Reff & Associates | Deloitte Legal, services in audit, tax, legal, consulting, financial advisory, risk advisory, business processes as well as technology services and other related services, through 2,000 professionals.
Please see www.deloitte.com/ro/about to learn more about the global network of member firms.
© 2021. For information, contact Deloitte Romania
