Citigate First Financial retains market leading position in Dutch M&A market

1st position mergermarket ranking 2011
 

Amsterdam, 24 January 2012 –The annual study among global PR agencies by mergermarket - an independent mergers & acquisitions intelligence service, shows that Citigate First Financial has retained its leading position in the Dutch market with a total of 29 transactions in 2011.

The total M&A market continued to grow in the past year. An increase of approximately 9% was realised in Europe with 5,304 transactions compared to 4,838 in 2010. In value the M&A activities showed an increase of 5.8% to US$ 704.7 billion. Globally, M&A activity increased 3.2% to 12,688 transactions. In terms of deal value the global M&A market was the strongest since 2008 (US$ 2,405 billion), with a total value of US$ 2,203 billion, an increase of 3.6% compared to 2010 (US$ 2,126 billion).

José Tijssen, Managing Director Citigate First Financial:
“It has been a year of uncertainty for the financial markets and the European money market(s) in particular. Despite the downswing in economic sentiment, the number of transactions we were involved with increased. In the structurally changed financial landscape, the role of financial communication has become crucial and the communication consultant is often already involved in the first steps of the process. In 2011 Citigate First Financial advised both listed and non-listed companies and I am very pleased that we were able to continue our market leading position.”

Communication consultancy Citigate First Financial is involved in both Dutch and cross-border transactions, including mergers, acquisitions, reorganisations and crises. Transactions in 2011 included advising and supporting PostNL with the preparations for listing following the split of TNT Group; advising real estate fund NSI on the approach of peer VastNed O/I and subsequent merger of the two companies; and advising Draka, international supplier of cables and cable systems, in the takeover battle which resulted in a succcessful public offer for Draka by Italian peer Prysmian. Citigate First Financial is currently advising Wavin in the possible acquisition by the Mexican Mexichem.