UK M&A Deals Surge with Carlsberg and International Paper Leading

Deal News | Jun 03, 2025 | EIN

The UK merger and acquisition (M&A) landscape has seen a significant uptick, with deal values reaching the highest level observed in more than two years. This increase was primarily fueled by international investors and corporations acquiring UK-based firms during the first quarter. The Office for National Statistics reported that substantial agreements contributed to lifting the provisional total value of inward and outward M&A deals to levels not seen since late 2022. However, domestic and cross-border deal activities decreased, with a decline in ownership changes from 497 in the previous quarter to 395. This decline was attributed to cautious corporate sentiment amid economic uncertainties. Despite this, foreign firms' deals to purchase UK companies soared, driving up their value from £15.2 billion to £19.2 billion in the quarter. Notable deals included Carlsberg's £3.3 billion acquisition of Britvic and International Paper's £5.8 billion acquisition of DS Smith. Additionally, the value of outward M&A, where UK firms acquired foreign entities, increased dramatically from £1.8 billion to £9.4 billion.

Sectors

Mergers & Acquisitions
Beverage
Paper and Packaging

Geography

United Kingdom – The M&A activity discussed in the article primarily involves UK-based companies, both as targets and as acquirors.
International – The transactions involve international players acquiring UK firms, highlighting cross-border M&A activity.

Industry

Mergers & Acquisitions – The article focuses on the increase in the value of merger and acquisition activities involving UK-based companies and international firms.
Beverage – Carlsberg, a key participant, acquired Britvic, a beverage company.
Paper and Packaging – International Paper's acquisition of DS Smith is a significant transaction in the paper and packaging industry.

Financials

19.2 billion – Total value of deals by foreign firms to acquire UK companies in the quarter.
15.2 billion – Total value of deals by foreign firms to acquire UK companies in the previous period.
3.3 billion – Value of Carlsberg's acquisition of Britvic.
5.8 billion – Value of International Paper's acquisition of DS Smith.
9.4 billion – Value of outward M&A, where UK firms bought foreign companies, in the quarter.
1.8 billion – Value of outward M&A, where UK firms bought foreign companies, in the previous quarter.

Participants

Name	Role	Type	Description
Carlsberg	Bidding Company	Company	Danish brewing giant involved in acquiring UK-based Britvic.
Britvic	Target Company	Company	UK beverage company acquired by Carlsberg.
International Paper	Bidding Company	Company	US-based paper and packaging firm acquiring DS Smith.
DS Smith	Target Company	Company	UK-based paper and packaging company acquired by International Paper.
Office for National Statistics	Source	Government	Provided the statistics on the rise of M&A deal values in the UK.