The findings, published by Dealogic, revealed that despite the lower value a 9 per cent increase in the number of deals has been recorded, an indication that there has been a rise in small- and medium-sized deals.

 

Phillip Morris and Time Warner spin-offs accounted for 10 per cent of global M&A volumes year to date and 28 per cent of US deal volumes this year.

 

The US has been the most active deal-making nation with $541.7 billion (£277.1 billion) generated, followed by the UK with $131.7 billion (£67.4 billion) and China in third place with $103.3 billion (£52.9 billion).

 

 JPMorgan leads Global M&A advisor rankings in 2008, putting through $367.3 billion (187.9 billion) via 144 completed deals, followed by Goldman Sachs with $351.6 billion £179.9 billion via 124 deals and Citi with $311.4 billion (£159.3 billion) via 102 deals.