Corporate M&A In Malta

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