M&A on pace for record despite signs of strain

June 29 - Reuters - Global M&A activity is on target for a record year after a first-half surge, bankers say, despite growing signs the benign lending environment that has underpinned the current boom may be coming to an end.

An increase in cross-border corporate mergers helped Europe push past the United States in volume for the first time in four years, and lifted the global tally of announced M&A in the first half by 51 percent to $2.8 trillion, according to preliminary data released on Friday by research firm Dealogic.

Global M&A was $1.9 trillion in the first half of 2006.

"It's undoubtedly going to be the biggest M&A market ever (this year)," said Dag Skattum, JPMorgan Chase & Co.'s global co-head of M&A. Read More.