North American power deals: Q1 2012 mergers & acquisitions report

This report presents an analysis of North American merger and acquisition activity in the power and utilities industry.

Q1 2012 key trends

  • In Q1 2012, the number of announced deals greater than $50 million remained flat with Q4 2011 at five deals. However, the total deal value decreased 92 percent from Q4 2011 due to the Kinder Morgan / El Paso Corp $36 billion deal in the prior quarter.
  • Deal volume in the first quarter of 2012 was up slightly over the previous quarter, putting the quarter-over-quarter deal volume at 31 announced deals, an increase of 3 percent.
  • Strategic investors dominated investor group with 60 percent while financial buyers posted 40 percent of all acquisitions greater than $50 million.