Market analysis

摘要

Seven new M&A transactions were announced during the week ended 1 March, up from three during the week prior. Year-to-date (YTD), volumes are down slightly, but values are up strongly, as some large deals have been announced in recent weeks. The week’s most notable deal was PQ Group’s agreement to sell its sodium silicate and silica derivatives business, called performance chemicals, to a partnership established by private equity firm Cerberus Capital Management (New York, New York) and Koch Minerals and Trading for $1.1 billion. The divestiture is part of a plan by PQ to focus on the company’s catalysts and refining services businesses.