Private Equity
Market Snapshot

September 2021

Private equity investment continued strongly throughout the summer months, reflecting the frenetic pace of global M&A. Refinitiv figures showed all M&A deals hitting $500 billion in the usually quiet month of August, up from $289 billion last year1. The scale of the rebound in European dealmaking also became evident as more data emerged for the first half of the year. European investments soared by over 100% to 1,800 deals worth €170 billion in value in the second quarter, propelled by widespread activity in the mid-market, according to Pitchbook2. Such strong investment activity also drove a strong increase in valuations with median multiples rising to a new high of 11.6 times EBITDA for medium-sized European companies covered by the Argos index. Investment funds outbid that level by paying 12.9 times EBITDA on average3.

As we approach the final quarter, the outlook in Europe remains positive with vaccination programmes fuelling reopening and economic recovery. Recent European Commission data points to a faster rebound than previously expected4, which has been matched by strengthening performance in the UK. Given the ever-increasing levels of dry powder available for investment, we expect deal activity to remain strong.

Private equity investment continued strongly throughout the summer months, reflecting the frenetic pace of global M&A. Refinitiv figures showed all M&A deals hitting $500 billion in the usually quiet month of August, up from $289 billion last year1. The scale of the rebound in European dealmaking also became evident as more data emerged for the first half of the year. European investments soared by over 100% to 1,800 deals worth €170 billion in value in the second quarter, propelled by widespread activity in the mid-market, according to Pitchbook2. Such strong investment activity also drove a strong increase in valuations with median multiples rising to a new high of 11.6 times EBITDA for medium-sized European companies covered by the Argos index. Investment funds outbid that level by paying 12.9 times EBITDA on average3.

As we approach the final quarter, the outlook in Europe remains positive with vaccination programmes fuelling reopening and economic recovery. Recent European Commission data points to a faster rebound than previously expected4, which has been matched by strengthening performance in the UK. Given the ever-increasing levels of dry powder available for investment, we expect deal activity to remain strong.

Competition Intensifies for the Best Assets 

Following the pandemic, large fundraisings by global funds have contributed to the desire to deploy capital. While many sponsors scour the market for bilateral deals, the conditions continue to lend themselves to competitive processes for the most bankable assets. The healthcare and technology sectors have dominated investment activity, accounting for half of all transactions in the Argos index in the second quarter. They are also commanding the highest valuation levels and pushing about one-quarter of deals to be concluded at over 15 times EBITDA.

In search of more attractively valued investments, private equity firms have focused on take-privates – particularly in the UK where valuations remain depressed compared with other international markets. Such deals enable sponsors to deploy larger sums of capital into single investments but are increasingly attracting competition, as well as potential scrutiny from regulators. By the end of the first half, 24 firm offers for AIM and main market public companies had been announced5, with many more under consideration by international investment groups.

Domestic Regulatory Changes Sharpen Chinese Appetite for Europe

High valuations and private equity appetite for investments has been leading large Chinese firms to dispose of assets at near-record pace. According to Bloomberg, Chinese companies and investment firms have announced exit plans for $10.5 billion of assets globally this year, the second-highest total in over two decades6. Among the deals this year in Europe, environmental management firm China Tianying agreed to sell Spanish waste management group Urbaser to Platinum Equity at a valuation of about €3.5 billion. 

Chinese investment into Europe fell sharply to €6.5 billion in 2020, data from European think tank MERICS showed, with COVID-19 and the threat of greater foreign direct investment (FDI) oversight both contributing to the decline. However, the recent regulatory crackdown in China is leading many Chinese groups to look to overseas for potential investments. Private equity funds, corporates and investment funds are targeting Europe in sectors including healthcare and technology, which has borne the brunt of Chinese regulatory action. While all international buyers face greater regulatory scrutiny and tougher FDI rules, the key attraction for Chinese investors appears to be diversification in the relative security of European markets and regulatory frameworks, as well as, in the case of strategic buyers, a desire to maintain their market share notwithstanding the challenges faced in the domestic Chinese market.

European SPACs Emerge and IPOs Accelerate 

IPO activity in Europe has registered one of its strongest starts to the year in 2021. A total of 223 IPOs raised €44.6 billion the first half, compared with just 31 listings raising €5.5 billion over the same period of 20207, according to PwC. A number of larger listings, including Dr Martens footwear and food delivery group Deliveroo, have targeted the main London exchange. However, Frankfurt and Amsterdam have also had active years, attracting the listings of companies including German laboratory services group Synlabs and Spanish fund distribution firm Allfunds.

Continental exchanges have also drawn Europe’s first SPAC offerings, with Amsterdam hosting two of the largest sponsored by Tikehau Capital and VC investor Hedosophia. While later to the trend, proposed listing rule changes in London are a signal that the UK aims to position itself as a centre for SPAC listings – potentially creating new options for tech entrepreneurs to float start-ups in London.

Michael J. Preston
Partner

London
T: +44 20 7614 2255
mpreston@cgsh.com
V-Card

Gabriele Antonazzo
Partner

London
T: +44 20 7614 2353
gantonazzo@cgsh.com
V-Card

Michael James
Partner

London
T: +44 20 7614 2219
mjames@cgsh.com
V-Card

United Kingdom

Mike Preston

Michael J. Preston
Partner

T: +44 20 7614 2255
mpreston@cgsh.com
V-Card

David J. Billington
Partner

T: +44 20 7614 2263
dbillington@cgsh.com
V-Card

Gabriele Antonazzo
Partner

T: +44 20 7614 2353
gantonazzo@cgsh.com
V-Card

Nallini Puri
Partner

T: +44 207 6142289
npuri@cgsh.com
V-Card

Michael James
Partner

T: +44 20 7614 2219
mjames@cgsh.com
V-Card

Lawale Ladapo
Associate

T: +44 20 7614 2310
lladapo@cgsh.com
V-Card

France

Amélie Champsaur
Partner

T: +33 1 40 74 68 00
achampsaur@cgsh.com
V-Card

Charles Masson
Partner

T: +33 1 40 74 68 00
cmasson@cgsh.com
V-Card

Belgium

Laurent Legein
Partner

T: +32 22872122
llegein@cgsh.com
V-Card

Marijke Spooren
Associate

T: +32 22872075
mspooren@cgsh.com
V-Card

Germany

Michael J. Ulmer
Partner

T: +49 69 97103 180
mulmer@cgsh.com
V-Card

Mirko von Bieberstein
Senior Attorney

T: +49 69 97103 204
mvonbieberstein@cgsh.com
V-Card

Italy

Roberto Bonsignore
Partner

T: +39 02 7260 8230
rbonsignore@cgsh.com
V-Card

Carlo de Vito Piscicelli
Partner

T: +44 20 7614 2257
cpiscicelli@cgsh.com
V-Card

David Singer
Associate

T: +39 02 7260 8274
dasinger@cgsh.com
V-Card