China's overseas M&A value hits record high  

2012年中国海外并购金额创历史新高

普华永道30日公布的研究显示，去年中国企业并购活动呈两极分化：一方面，海外并购总金额录得创记录的652亿美元，同比飙升54%；另一方面，国内外并购交易宗数却是5年来的新低，预期今年会明显改善。

Hong Kong (CNS) – China's total overseas acquisitions achieved a record high of US$ 65.2 billion in 2012, yet the total number of mergers and acquisitions dropped to the lowest level in the past five years, according to research released Wednesday by PricewaterhouseCoopers.

There were 2,953 M&A transactions in the domestic and overseas markets, a year-on-year decrease of 21 percent, the data showed. However, the value of the transactions rose as more private enterprises got involved in acquisitions on a large scale.

According to incomplete statistics, overseas M&A transactions last year by Chinese private enterprises amounted to $25.5 billion, soaring 171 percent compared to the previous year, but the number of transactions remained stable.

Unlike state-owned enterprises which focus on the energy industry, private companies are eager to take advantage of the financial difficulties in the U.S. and Europe to acquire high-quality brands and high-end technology for the Chinese market, said Ni Zhimin, who works at PricewaterhouseCoopers.

The industries mainly include consumer products, financial services and entertainment, he added.

The firm predicted that Chinese M&A activity will accelerate from the second quarter of this year.