US stokes European acquisitions boom

US stokes European acquisitions boom

American firms were the most active buyers of European companies in the first half of this year as the mergers and acquisitions boom in the area continues, according to Acquisitions Monthly. German companies were prolific sellers of businesses while the Netherlands continues to attract buyers, the survey found. During the first six months of 1997, 1,051 cross-border acquisition of companies based in the EU were recorded worth pounds 28.8bn, compared with 982 deals totalling pounds 27bn during the first half of 1996.