Top M&A Deals in 2022

In 2022 the value of strategic M&A deals dipped to its lowest level in 10 years, and the gap between seller and buyer valuations remained high. Some companies profited from the volatile market to pursue their M&A objectives.

One example is the successful merger between United Technologies and Rockwell Collins, creating the world’s most advanced defense and aerospace manufacturing company for systems. The deal valued at $135 billion, and was a win-win for the sellers and buyers which allowed them to increase their customer base and increase revenue.

In another instance, LSEG (the owner of Europe’s biggest financial markets) purchased US-based competitor NYSEG in order to build the world’s biggest market data provider. This acquisition strategic will allow LSEG to better serve its customers by providing them with comprehensive data, trading tools and analytics, as well as risk management services across all international financial markets.

The success of vertical M&A M&A deals is evident in the $70-billion acquisition of Aetna by CVS Health, which transformed the landscape of healthcare by amalgamating health insurance and pharmacy services into one company. The energy sector also saw an M&A vertical deal in the form of ONEOK’s acquisition of Magellan Midstream Partners L.P for an awe-inspiring $18.8 billion, which is expected to transform the infrastructure for oil and gas. Additionally, the state-owned Chinese chemical company ChemChina joined forces with its competitor Sinochem to create the world’s largest industrial chemical conglomerate. This is a clear indication of the importance of leveraging M&A in times of uncertainty and change.