1. Trends
1.1 M&A Market
The local M&A market has shown slow signs of improvement
when compared with the activity recorded at the beginning of 2023,
and deal-making activity appears to be ramping up. The COVID-19
pandemic did not have an impact on local deal-making activity. On
the contrary, during the COVID-19 period, the level of M&A
activity in Malta was at record levels. The lull registered in
M&A activity over the past months was related to other
factors.
1.2 Key Trends
Private M&A transactions make up the lion's share of
M&A activity in Malta, in terms of both value and volume. Most
private deals tend to take the form of equity acquisitions through
a Malta-registered special purpose vehicle (SPV) which effectively
acts as the holding company for that investment. Alternatively, an
SPV is established for the purpose of acquiring some or all of the
target's assets. Reports compiled by third party service
providers indicate that in 2023, Q1 through to Q2
