2005: A Year of Changes in M&A

Published in American Lawyer: Guide to Global M&A, January 2006.

The past year has been an active year in the Finnish M&A market, which has seen, among others, several transactions in regard to Finnish listed companies (Pohjola, Saunalahti, Alma Media to mention a few), larger reorganisations in the daily goods retail field (SOK-Spar and Tradeka-Wihuri combinations) and also some increased private investor activity in regard to Finnish industry companies (Finndomo, Karelia). Foreign private equity interest in the Finnish market has remained strong (Outokumpu Copper Products, Loparex).

In the legislative area, year 2005 has also brought many significant changes impacting the M&A field, including changes in the fields of corporate taxation, company law and securities markets regulation, as commented on further below.