Advisory services publications

International Business Report (IBR) M&A report

This report offers rare insight into the M&A plans and expectations of over 7,400 privately held businesses (PHBs) from 36 economies across the world. Despite the challenging economic conditions and difficulty in raising finance, the report's findings suggest that 26% of businesses are planning acquisitions. It's not surprising many are naturally cautious about their M&A plans, however many entrepreneurial firms still want to grow through M&A and this is likely to increase if optimism about a global economic recovery spreads and credit markets ease. The report compares the survey results over three years on a global basis, as well as looking at results from the main economic regions.

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Global mergers and acquisitions deal report

The mergers and acquisitions (M&A) deal report features various M&A related tombstones from member firms around the world organised along industry sector lines. The report includes a mix of client and Grant Thornton M&A experts' quotes and contact details.

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Middle East healthcare guide

Grant Thornton International's new report looks into future prospects for the healthcare sector in the Middle East. It reviews the key issues, provides insight into each of the main Middle East markets and identifies potential opportunities for private healthcare players and investors.

The report's findings reveal the Middle East will face an unprecedented surge in demand for healthcare in the next few years. As a result, many governments are adopting the public-private partnership model. However, the issue for providers is to be clear about where and how they wish to compete.

Middle Eastern governments are keen to supervise and regulate the healthcare system to make sure providers also remember that Zakat, the Islamic principle of charity, is one of the underlying driving forces behind the desire to develop healthcare systems.

Interestingly, the report concludes that the appetite for, and supply of, capital for healthcare related projects in the Middle East appears resilient even in the current economic climate.

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AIM market report

New analysis by experts at Grant Thornton International of the performance of AIM, the world’s most successful growth market for small and medium-sized businesses, highlights the influence of non-UK companies choosing AIM to raise capital.

With difficult market conditions expected to continue throughout 2009, the challenge for AIM is to adapt in order to preserve its position as a respected market while not losing sight of its roots – a market focused on providing growing companies with access to capital.

This report analyses the performance of AIM in 2008, provides insights into current and historic trends, and compares the performance of AIM to seven other global markets, considered to be alternatives for companies around the world. The 2009 Grant Thornton AIM market analysis is part of a series of capital markets guides that Grant Thornton International has compiled over seven years.

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Middle East markets guide

The guide reveals that transparency and corporate governance are emerging as a critical issue for capital markets in the Middle East. Findings suggest the financial crisis is accelerating the transparency agenda as international investors demand greater openness and that the opportunity exists for the region to put itself in a position of strength to benefit from the eventual recovery.

The report also confirms capital markets of the Middle East clearly have great potential for further growth. The region can use the ongoing evolution of Islamic finance to help them weather the economic downturn.

Now in its second year, the Middle East markets guide compares the performances of the region’s major stock exchanges and reviews the key themes of change sweeping through the region. Insight into four key Middle Eastern markets - Bahrain, Dubai, Egypt and Saudi Arabia is also included.

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