GCC M&A Report – Q2 2019

Executive Summary

During Q2 2019, the number of closed M&A transactions in the GCC dropped by 21% compared to Q2 2018. Among the region, transactions in Oman witnessed the highest growth while Qatar was the only country among its GCC counterparts that didn’t witness any transactions during the same period.

United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia had the highest number of closed transactions among their GCC counterparts throughout the period. During Q2 2019, they collectively accounted for 70% of the transactions, the highest, while Kuwait, Oman, and Bahrain each accounted for the lowest at 10%. Saudi Arabia was the most prevalent target country among the top deals.

GCC acquirers accounted for 77% of the total closed transactions during Q2 2019. The Industrials, Real Estate, and Telecommunications Services sectors witnessed the highest number of transactions, collectively accounting for 47% of the total closed transactions during Q2 2019. The Media, Insurance, Consumer Staples, Materials, Utilities, and Transportation sectors each accounted for 3% of the total closed transactions during Q2 2019; collectively amounting to 18% of the transactions during the period.