Mergers and Acquisitions grow by 20% in Spain in 2016

17/01/2017
Diego Gutiérrez
Mergers and Acquisitions grow by 20% in Spain in 2016
2016 has been a good year for Spanish M&A. The number of M&A transactions has grown by 20% this year, exceeding €100,000M in 2016 through more than 1,600 transactions. This is largely due to the confidence of foreign investors in our country.

Mergers and Acquisitions grow by 20% in Spain in 2016

Most active sectors

The sectors in which most transactions were carried out were the financial sector, followed by the consumer sector, in which the most transactions took place. 161 y 144 M&A transactions and acquisitions respectively.

In the technology sector, we have detected a great deal of activity in 2016, especially from foreign agents who have set their sights on Spain. Within this group we find technology giants, which operate globally and want to enter Spain as Ebay that bought for $165M the Bilbao-based Ticketbits, online ticket sales or Freelancer who bought Nubelo.

Foreign venture capital has also decided to invest in the technology sector in Spain, such as the acquisition of the company Digitex, an outsourcing company, by Carlyle.

Spanish technology companies have also made acquisitionsSome of them have managed to make acquisitions after going public on the alternative stock market, such as Agile, which went public in 2015 and has already has bought OTT and Adman media in 2016.

International developments

The growth of the M&A industry in Spain contrasts with the general slowdown in corporate transactions in other geographic areas, largely due to the withdrawal of monetary policy stimulus in the US and high valuations in certain sectors and geographies.

Among the arguments favouring foreign investment are expectations of growth, legal certainty, the greater international weight of Spanish companies and the general feeling that important reforms have been made to improve the competitiveness of the economy.

In addition to Latin American and American companies, in recent years we have detected a growing interest of Asian companies in our country. Just today it has just been announced that the Chinese group Shiji has bought ReviewPro's 80% for €26.5M. ReviewPro, Spanish startup that has developed an online reputation management system for hotels.

Expectations for 2017

For 2017, the trend looks set to continue upwards. On the one hand, capital is available and rates are low.

 In addition, investors are putting pressure on companies to generate growth. Many companies face poor growth prospects, forcing them to consider buying competitors or expanding into other countries.

According to the KPMG report, the sectors in which most transactions will take place are finance, energy, healthcare and real estate.

 

 
If you are looking for investors, o you want to buy or selling a companyPlease contact us on +34 946424142 or fill in the contact form.

Other posts that may interest you

IT sector M&A in tourism: Amadeus leads the way in tourism purchases

Food sector active in procurement: Nutrition Sante, Portobello Capital and La Nevera Roja

Lastest news

State of technology M&A in Spain | Analysis August 2025

El mes de agosto, tradicionalmente más pausado en cuanto a transacciones corporativas, ha sorprendido en 2025 con una intensa actividad en el ámbito tecnológico en España. Se registraron operaciones de gran calado en segmentos como marketplaces digitales,...

Baker Tilly advises BSG on its acquisition of Copermática

The advisors for the sale and purchase of technology companies at Baker Tilly Tech M&A have advised Business Software Group (BSG) on its recent acquisition of Copermática, a company specialising in management software for professional firms and consultancies. With...

Do you want to sell or buy a company?

We are experts in M&A transactions in the technology sector.

Subscribe to our newsletter

    On which topic would you like to receive information?

    Request for information

    If you want to buy or sell a company, or need more information about our services, do not hesitate to contact us through the form.

    Or if you prefer, call us at:

    +34 946 42 41 42