Goldman Sachs has dominated the latest mergers and acquisitions (M&A) league table of the top 10 financial advisers for the consumer sector based on deal value in 2019, according to GlobalData, a leading data and analytics company.

The investment bank advised on 49 deals worth US$66.7bn, including the big ticket deal of  Merlin Entertainments’ acquisition by KIRKBI Invest, Blackstone and Canada Pension Plan Investment Board (CPPIB) for US$7.56bn.

According to GlobalData, which tracks all M&A, private equity/venture capital and asset transaction activity around the world to compile league tables, Credit Suisse trailed Goldman Sachs with 24 deals worth US$65.5bn. Morgan Stanley stood at third position with 26 deals worth US$48.8bn.

Nagarjun Sura, Financial Deals Analyst at GlobalData, says: “Goldman Sachs emerged as the top financial adviser in the Consumer sector, whereas Rothschild settled in fourth position despite recording the largest volume at 60 deals. Major International Flavors & Fragrances (IFF) Merger with DuPont Nutrition & Biosciences helped Skadden and Cleary Gottlieb to occupy first and second positions respectively in the legal category.”

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Global consumer deals market in 2019

The consumer sector saw a 1.76% drop in deal value from US$312.0bn in 2018 to US$306.5bn in 2019. Deal volume, however, witnessed a 26.65% increase from 4,067 in 2018 to 5,151 in 2019.

Goldman Sachs, which topped the consumer league table of M&A financial advisers, also stood at first position in GlobalData’s recently released global league table of top 20 M&A financial advisers.

Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom leads list of top 10 M&A legal advisers

US-based law firm Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom led the chart of top 10 legal advisers in terms of value. It provided legal services for 23 deals worth US$62.9bn. Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton advised on 25 deals worth US$48.7bn. In the global league table of top M&A 20 legal advisers, Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom secured ninth position while Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton stood at fourth position.