Asean M&A appetite stable despite uncertainty

THE merger and acquisition (M&A) appetite in South-east Asia remains stable despite global uncertainty, according to the latest EY Global Capital Confidence Barometer released on Nov 12.

Some 41 per cent of respondents in South-east Asia had acquisition plans in the next 12 months - below the global average of 52 per cent but close to the 10-year historical average of 42 per cent for the region.

EY Asean transaction advisory services leader Vikram Chakravarty warned: "Perhaps SEA firms should take the current slowdown and trade tensions more seriously. The macroeconomic headwinds are real, and firms must seize this opportunity to restruc…