​The real estate sector was the most active in the local market of mergers and acquisitions (mergers and acquisitions – M&A) from 2022, with almost 60 of the 157 recorded transactions worth more than €5 million (36%) and worth more than €1.7 billion, out of an estimated total market of €6.5-7.5 billion (26%), according to a analyzes carried out by Deloitte Romania. The next sectors in terms of the number of deals are energy (11%), consumer goods, technology and health care (10% each). In terms of value, however, the top sectors are somewhat different, with energy (22%) coming in second, followed by manufacturing (12%), automotive and retail and distribution (7% each).

Among the types of investors that were active in the Romanian M&A market in 2022, those strategic continues to dominate with 83% of total transactions, up significantly from 63% in 2021. They followed them last year companies private capital (15%) and Fr institutional and private investorswhose share fell to 2% (compared to 20% in 2021), the lowest level since 2018.

As for the country of origin, Romanian investors were involved in 2022 in 30% of the total number of transactions for a total amount of 1.9 billion euros. Among the active foreign investors are those from US invested the largest amounts (1.4 billion euros – 37% of the market value), and then french (over 500 million euros), Belgian (275 million euros), italians and Austrian (over 180 million euros each). And investors from Israel, Germany and Hungary active in the local market from 2022, albeit in lower value deals.

“The year 2022 was marked by an increase in the average value of deals to 34 million euros after a decrease to 27 million in 2021, which keeps Romania in the category of medium-sized markets. We are happy to see that more and more local investors have plans to grow through acquisitions and that some investors already present in Romania continue their development plans through acquisitions, participating in almost a third of the analyzed transactions. We expect that in 2023 we will also have transactions of significant value, especially in the energy sector, perhaps even increasing the scope of investments from local investors, both strategic and institutional, or local investment funds that are being formed at this time. I believe that there is still liquidity in the area of ​​financial investors and that this is a favorable moment for strategic investors to consolidate their presence in Romania for future sustainable growth,” he said. Radu Dumitrescu, partner-coordinator of financial consulting, Deloitte Romania.

The M&A market in Romania reached record levels in 2022 with a total estimated value of approximately EUR 6.5-7.5 billion (including transactions with undisclosed value) for 157 transactions over EUR 5 million analyzed by Deloitte Romania.

Deloitte Romania coordinates the multidisciplinary M&A practice with a holistic approach that includes business lines such as M&A advisory, transaction support services, tax and legal advisory. In this way, Deloitte’s teams of professionals can cover all important aspects of the transaction.