Announced M&A deals involving Asia Pacific firms generate US $378.0 billion in first half of 2014

A 67.4% jump from last year.

The value of announced M&A deals involving Asia Pacific companies, excluding Japan, totaled US$378.0 billion so far this year, marking a 67.4 percent increase compared to the first half of 2013 (US$225.8 billion).

According to the Asia Pacific M&A Preliminary Review for First Half of 2014 by Thomson Reuters, this is the strongest semi-annual period for the region since records started in 1980.

The report noted that this growth was driven by CITIC Pacific’s acquisition of the main assets of its state-owned parent, CITIC Group, for US$44.5 billion.

Here's more from Thomson Reuters:

The average M&A deal value for disclosed deals grew to US$110.3 million compared to US$69.0 million in the first half 2013, as deal-making so far this year involving Asia Pacific companies witnessed at least six transactions worth US$5-billion and above (including CITIC Pacific’s US$44-billion mega deal) compared to only one during the first half of 2013.

Completed M&A activity involving Asia Pacific amounted to US$171.3 billion thus far, an 11.5% decline from the first half of 2013 (US$193.6 billion) alongside an 18.8% decrease in number of completed deals.