The Romanian mergers and acquisitions (M&A) market recorded 124 transactions in the first half (H1) of 2024, with a total estimated value of USD 2.3 billion, down 6% in volume compared to the 132 transactions, estimated at USD 3.7 billion, recorded in the similar period of 2023, according to an analysis by EY Romania sent on Friday.However, the specialists say, the value of the M&A market remained largely stable, if the acquisition of Enel Group's Romanian operations by the Greek company Public Power Corporation for USD 1.3 billion, the only mega-deal in the first half of 2023, is not taken into account.In addition, the transaction value was not disclosed for 79% of transactions announced in H1 2024, compared to the historical average of 65% observed since 2018.The most active sectors by deal volume were Real Estate, Hospitality & Construction (23 deals), Energy & Utilities (21 deals) and Consumer Products & Retail (20 deals), followed by Health Care and Technology, each recording 11 deals. In the first half of 2024, there were only two transactions with disclosed value exceeding USD 100 million, down from the five recorded in 2023.In terms of country of origin, the most active investors came from the US - historically the most active investor (10 deals), Austria (8 deals), Germany (7), France and Poland (4 deals each), followed by Italy and the Netherlands, both with 3 deals each.Compared with the second half of 2023, the volume of M&A transactions in Romania increased by 13.8% in the first six months of 2024, while the decrease in this period compared with the same period last year reflects the global trend.According to the analysis, strategic investors maintained their dominant position in the Romanian M&A market in the first half of 2024, accounting for 93% of transaction volume, although they announced the same number of deals as in the first half of 2023 (115).The three largest transactions in the first half were: the sale of OTP Bank's Romanian operations to Banca Transilvania, the country's largest bank, for USD 375 million; the acquisition of five industrial parks by CTP, Europe's largest publicly listed developer of industrial and logistics properties in Europe, from Globalworth Real Estate Investments' full logistics portfolio, for approximately USD 184 million; the sale of the 80 MW Mihai Viteazu wind farm by Spanish renewable energy company Iberdrola to Premier Energy for an estimated USD 94 million. The deal marked Iberdrola's withdrawal from the Romanian market.
The agency plans to expand its team and reach a turnover of EUR 450,000 by year-end. June Communications (JUNE), a business-to-business PR and integrated communications agency, has appointed Bianca Caragea as its new Operations Manager. The step strengthens the agency’s management team as it enters a new stage of growth after seven years of sustained […]
The Babeș-Bolyai University of Cluj-Napoca (UBB) has established an endowment fund, which the institution described as a "strategic" financial mechanism aimed at supporting academic excellence and ensuring the long-term sustainability of university projects. The initiative is a first of its kind in the local academia, UBB said. The endowment fund involves attracting donations/financial resources and […]
Romanian authorities are reportedly considering imposing an access fee for the Transfăgărășan mountain road. The funds would be used for setting up decent parking areas, selecting merchants, and similar initiatives. The beautiful, winding road is one of the most visited tourist attractions in the country. Local authorities say the funds from an eventual toll would […]
Colombian reggaeton superstar J Balvin will perform in Dubai for the first time this November, headlining Untold, the globally recognized festival born in Romania. The event will take place from November 6 to 9 at Dubai Parks and Resorts, featuring more than 100 international acts across five stages. The festival is staged in partnership with […]
More than 17% of Romania’s population faced severe material and social deprivation last year, which was one of the highest shares in the EU, according to the statistical bureau of the European Union - Eurostat. In 2024, 6.4% of people in the European Union faced severe material and social deprivation, a slight decrease compared to […]
The Freedom and Respect for Every Earthling association will hold the March for Animal Rights in Bucharest on October 4, to mark International Animal Day. The march will start at 11 AM at the National Theater Park, and will go on to Piața Victoriei. Organizers say they aim to bring to the forefront the suffering […]
