Swiss firms in record number of mergers and acquisitions
ABB was among the Swiss companies in big M & A deals last year, selling its power grid division to Hitachi. Its top officials are seen here at a press conference on the USD 9.4 billion deal.
Keystone
The number of merger and acquisition deals involving Swiss companies hit a record high in 2018, according to a report by consultancy firm KPMG.
Activity peaked in a number of sectors including financial services, consumer markets, technology, media and telecommunications, power and utilities, says KPMGExternal link. There were also a record number of private equity transactions.
In total, there were 493 merger and acquisition transactions involving Swiss companies in 2018, up some 25% on the previous year. The volume of transactions reached $132.9 billion (CHF131.7 million), or almost the same amount in Swiss francs. This is a 30.9% increase on 2017, but below the record of $188.1 billion set in 2014.
KPMG says Switzerland’s “fire power” is reflected in the fact that outbound deals (230) were more or less double the inbound deals (117) last year.
“This comes as Swiss firms continue to transform their businesses and portfolios, to adapt to changes in consumer behaviour and advances in technology,” according to the international auditing and consultancy firm.
“For example, financial services players invested in technology players such as payment solution providers. In pharmaceuticals, Novartis bought gene therapy specialist AveXis whilst disposing of its Consumer Health Care Joint Venture to GSK.”
KPMG also cites the example of Nestlé which acquired the worldwide distribution right for Starbucks products outside its coffee shops.
More
More
Nestlé and Starbucks agree billion-dollar tie-up
This content was published on
The Swiss food giant Nestlé is set to pay Starbucks $7.1 billion (CHF7.1 billion) to market the American firm’s products outside Starbucks’ coffee shops.
University students in Switzerland join Gaza protest wave
This content was published on
Pro-Palestinian activists occupied university buildings in Lausanne, Geneva and Zurich on Tuesday, widening the protest movement in the Alpine nation.
TradeXBank to resume full operations after Sberbank Switzerland taken off sanctions list
This content was published on
TradeXBank, the former Swiss branch of Russia’s Sberbank, will be able to resume its dollar-denominated activities from the second half of this year.
Geneva decides not to remove controversial memorials
This content was published on
The city of Geneva has presented an action plan regarding a series of controversial local statues and monuments of historical figures linked to racism, colonialism or slavery.
University of Lausanne calls for end to pro-Palestine sit-in
This content was published on
The pro-Palestinian occupation continues at the University of Lausanne (UNIL). On Monday evening, a group of students refused to agree to the deadline set by the rectorate.
Ukraine peace conference should include Russia, says Chinese ambassador
This content was published on
China supports a peace conference on the Ukraine war that would see equal participation of all parties, says Chinese Ambassador to Russia Zhang Hanhui.
This content was published on
A majority of Swiss citizens have open attitudes towards various infertility treatments, including even egg donation, which is currently prohibited.
Reports of Swiss cyber fraud almost doubled in six months
This content was published on
The head of the new Federal Office for Cybersecurity (FOC), Florian Schütz, has presented a new strategy after just over four months in office.
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.
Read more
More
Swiss minister keeps eye on Chinese company takeover policy
This content was published on
But Schneider-Ammann is more optimistic than other ministerial colleagues that the situation will improve. Last month, Communications Minister Doris Leuthard told the Aargauer Zeitung newspaper that Switzerland should insist on reciprocity, pointing to a tough line taken on the issue in Germany. “We must do what Germany did many years ago, which is hold a…
UBS secures majority stake in a China securities joint venture
This content was published on
Switzerland’s largest bank, UBS, has become the first foreign bank to hold a majority stake in a China securities joint venture.
This content was published on
Nestlé is one of many companies acquiring small, premium coffee brands. Will this boost growth and what does it mean for the small, local coffee shop?
Switzerland’s largest media group strengthens dominant position
This content was published on
Switzerland’s largest media group, Zurich-based Tamedia, has struck a deal with one of the country’s most controversial politicians, Christoph Blocher.
You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here . Please join us!
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.