In the backdrop of plenty of stressed corporate assets on offer at tempting valuations, India is expected to see mergers and acquisitions (M&A) worth USD 50 billion in 2018, according to an ASSOCHAM Year Ahead Outlook (AYAO).

The context for the forecast in 2018 was picked by ASSOCHAM Year Ahead Outlook from the trends in the calendar of 2017 when India's M&A transactions witnessed a quantum jump of 170 per cent in valuations and over 70 per cent in the number of transactions.  

According to different data compilations, there were a  total of 944 transactions (664 Domestic and 280 Cross Border) in 2017 worth USD 46.5 billion (US$13.1 billion Domestic and US$ 33.4 billion Cross Border). This was against a total of 553 transactions (358 Domestic and 195 Cross Border) worth US$ 17.5 billion (US$7.2 billion Domestic and US$ 10.3billion Cross Border) in 2016. "There has been a quantum leap in M&A transactions in India with more focus on sectors such as healthcare, telecom, energy, real estate, media & entertainment, banking, insurance, oil, cement and consumer products, adds the ASSOCHAM paper.

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