Latin American M&A activity produced more deals and moved far greater capital in the second quarter of this year compared to the same period in 2016. This year there were 509 deals registered (+3.25%), and the total value from 218 non-confidential deals was US$33.0bn, an 86.4% increase from the year before.

The region is on pace for a standout year in terms of deal valuation, as the total amount from the 412 deals that reported values from January to June reached US$74.4bn - an 85.3% increase over the total in the same period of 2016, according to data from M&A research firm Transactional Track Record (TTR).

There were 1,026 total transactions through June, a 5.34% increase.

TTR also recorded 45 private equity operations in the region for 2Q17, 18 of which reported values totaling US$2.87bn, reflecting a 5% increase in the number of operations and a 72% jump in total value.

There were 64 venture capital deals in May for the region with 33 reporting values totaling US$669mn, a 16% increase in the number of deals and a hefty 389% increase in reported values, according to the research firm.

From January to June, Brazil generated the strongest activity in the region with 512 operations, an 8% increase, where the total value of disclosed sums hit US$44.46bn - 220% more than the reported value in the same period in 2016.

Despite investor uncertainty this year, Mexico came in second with 148 operations, only 1% more than in 1H16, and reported values totaling US$10.74bn, a 13% decrease.

Exhibiting some weakness in 2017, Chile recorded 120 operations (+13%) with reported values totaling US$5.12bn (-49%). Argentina followed with 117 deals (+13%) and total reported values up 3% to US$3.64bn.

Source: Business News Americas / BN Americas - Chile