Some 62 per cent of M&A professionals believe that sector consolidation and an increase in mid-sized deals (57 per cent) will most influence market recovery, according to a report from IntraLinks. 

Some 62 per cent of M&A professionals believe that sector consolidation and an increase in mid-sized deals (57 per cent) will most influence market recovery, according to a report from IntraLinks. 

The 332 M&A practitioners that took part in the survey across Europe revealed that optimism for market recovery is highest in Germany, while confidence in other European countries, including the UK, has dropped since the last survey, which was conducted earlier this year. 

When questioned about time scales, only 4 per cent said they believed the credit crunch would start to fade over the next six months, while 70 per cent saw the effects lasting in excess of a year.

Andrew Pearson, managing director at IntraLinks, said: “Every day we talk to people working on the front line, and this report reflects the issues they are facing. What’s clear is that deals taking place at this time need to be fast, efficient and effective while the market is finding its feet.

“It’s hard to say how long the volatility will last, but savvy professionals in the marketplace are already planning for recovery in Europe.”