M&A Activity Declines in Most Regions in the First Quarter

Merger activity slowed in the U.S. in the first quarter, with deal volume down 29%, according to data from Thomson Reuters' Deals Intelligence. 'We think the volatility that came in January really put a lot of deal making on hold for a bit,' said Matthew Toole, Director of Deals Intelligence. 'We are seeing broad based declines in most regions, in most sectors, and also across all deal size categories.' Activity in Europe hit a five-year high, but fell in Asia Pacific overall even as China continued to be an active buyer. In the U.S., the top sectors for M&A activity was industrials, materials, technology and energy and power. Toole said the healthcare sector slowed, with big deals such as the one between Pfizer (PFE) - Get Report and Allergan (AGN) - Get Report still pending. TheStreet's Rhonda Schaffler has details from Wall Street.