Global property sector M&A touched $152 bn in 2009: Dealogic

NEW DELHI: The global merger and acquisition activity in the property sector so far this year amounted to $151.8 billion (around Rs 7 lakh crore), the lowest level in the last six years amid the economic downturn.

"Global property sector M&A reached just $151.8 billion via 2,282 deals in 2009, down 34 per cent on 2008 volume, making it the lowest level since 2003," deal tracking firm Dealogic said.

In the year 2003, the total deal activity in the property segment across the world amounted to $118 billion (Rs 5,48,700 crore) by way of 1,557 transactions.

China was the most targeted nation and it also witnessed a significant increase of 41 per cent in its M&A levels from its previous year.

"China attracted deals amounting to $29.3 billion or 19 per cent of the global volume - the highest total on record," Dealogic said.

The Asia Pacific region accounted for 44 per cent of global volume, while Americas and the EMEA (Europe, the Middle East and Africa) volume cornered 11 per cent and 45 per cent of the global total.

Dealogic further said that Asia Pacific deal volume fell just 1.6 per cent while, Americas and EMEA volume fell by a massive 59 per cent and 44 per cent respectively.