New Delhi, Aug 11 (IANS) India’s deal landscape recorded 227 transactions in July, valued at $16.4 billion, due to a surge in mergers and acquisitions (M&A) activity and capital market issuances, a report said on Monday.

Excluding capital market deals, deal volumes rose from 169 to 200 on a MoM basis, and there was a remarkable 115 per cent surge in values -- from $4.2 billion to $9.1 billion, according to the report from business advisory firm Grant Thornton Bharat.

During the month, there were three deals valued over a billion dollars and 15 large-ticket transactions exceeding $100 million, indicating strong investor confidence across various sectors.

Shanthi Vijetha, Partner, Growth, Grant Thornton Bharat, said: "July witnessed a notable uptick in deal activity, driven by high-value transactions in both the domestic and outbound segments. The rise in billion-dollar M&A activity, coupled with buoyant capital markets and strategic secondary exits, indicates that this momentum is likely to carry forward into the second half of the year."

In the M&A landscape, 83 deals valued at $7 billion were recorded, up 41 per cent in volumes and 340 per cent in values sequentially. High-value domestic and outbound transactions led to this surge. The standout transaction of the month was JSW Paints Ltd’s acquisition of a 75 per cent stake in Akzo Nobel India Ltd, valued at $1.5 billion, the report said.

The retail and consumer goods sector led deal volumes (22 per cent share) with a 5.4 times value surge driven by four deals exceeding $100. Deal volume in the IT & ITeS sectors tripled, as value rose 7.7 times, led by strong interest in data analytics and AI firms.

The resurgence in M&A signals growing boardroom confidence and strategic intent among corporates, setting a robust foundation for dealmaking in the second half of the year, it added.

The month saw 10 IPOs collectively raising $2.6 billion and 17 Qualified Institutional Placements (QIPs) mobilising $4.8 billion. Capital market activity increased, supporting strong M&A and PE deal flow and indicating a positive change in corporate fundraising strategies.

--IANS

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