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 Arts Hour on Tour, the BBC World Service arts and culture program that visits cities all over the world, will be in Bucharest next week to record a show on topics relating to the cultural life in the city and Romania. Television and radio broadcaster Nikki Bedi, who curates, writes, and presents the program, […]
Romanian prime minister Marcel Ciolacu recently stated during an interview that foreign minister Emil Hureaznu will be replaced if he continues to send messages to private individuals, such as those addressed to Elon Musk, without consulting him. The warning comes after Emil Hurezeanu stated on Saturday, February 22, that Elon Musk’s support for Călin Georgescu […]
Romanian state-controlled gas producer Romgaz (BVB: SNG) reported a net profit of RON 3.22 bln (EUR 647 mln) in 2024, up 14.5% compared with the previous year. The company’s revenues went down by 11.9% to RON 7.93 bln (EUR 1.6 bln) because of lower...
The Romanian Parliament rejected the no-confidence motion initiated by far-right parties AUR, SOS Romania, and POT against the government led by Social Democrat prime minister Marcel Ciolacu. The motion received 147 votes in favor and one against during the lawmakers' meeting on Friday, February 28 - a figure lower than the 155 signatures with which […]
Nuclearelectrica (BVB: SNN), the company that operates Romania’s only nuclear power plant – Cernavoda, reported a net profit of RON 1.7 bln (EUR 343 mln) in 2024, down 31% compared with the previous year. The company recorded 37.6% lower revenues from electricity sales due to lower average...
In his first press conference since becoming interim president, held on Friday, February 28, Ilie Bolojan said that discussing peacekeeping troops in Ukraine is premature, since no peace agreement was reached. He also discussed increasing Romania’s defense spending, the relationship with the United States, and the reconstruction of Ukraine. The press conference was organised after Ilie […]
