U.S. M&A deal activity increased in January, going up 1.4% with 1,327 announcements compared to 1,309 in December. However, aggregate M&A spending decreased. In January, 68.4% less was spent on deals compared to December.

• In terms of M&A deal activity, 11 of the 21 sectors tracked by FactSet saw an increase in M&A deal activity over the past three months relative to the same three-month period one year ago. The five sectors that witnessed the largest increases in M&A deal volume were: Technology Services (834 vs. 735), Non-Energy Minerals (109 vs. 69), Industrial Services (259 vs. 220), Commercial Services (460 vs. 424), and Consumer Non-Durables (111 vs. 79).
• On the other hand, 10 of the 21 sectors tracked by FactSet saw a decrease in M&A deal activity over the past three months relative to the same three-month period one year ago. The five sectors that witnessed the largest decreases in M&A deal volume were: Finance (721 vs. 831), Producer Manufacturing (192 vs. 218), Health Technology (103 vs. 127), Distribution Services (138 vs. 161), and Consumer Services (188 vs. 205).

U.S. M&A deal activity increased in December, going up 4.8% with 1,146 announcements compared to 1,094 in November. Aggregate M&A spending increased as well. In December 56.9% more was spent on deals compared to November.

• In terms of M&A deal activity, 10 of the 21 sectors tracked by FactSet saw an increase in M&A deal activity over the past three months relative to the same three-month period one year ago. The six sectors that witnessed the largest increases in M&A deal volume were: Technology Services (865 vs. 697), Non-Energy Minerals (117 vs. 76), Industrial Services (237 vs. 208), Commercial Services (422 vs. 399), Retail Trade (109 vs. 92), and Electronic Technology (92 vs. 75).
• On the other hand, 10 of the 21 sectors tracked by FactSet saw a decrease in M&A deal activity over the past three months relative to the same three-month period one year ago. The five sectors that witnessed the largest declines in M&A deal volume were: Finance (652 vs. 861), Consumer Services (184 vs. 234), Producer Manufacturing (194 vs. 234), Health Technology (88 vs. 128), and Distribution Services (141 vs. 163).

U.S. M&A deal activity decreased in November, going down 24.8% with 1,012 announcements compared to 1,346 in October. Aggregate M&A spending decreased as well. In November 13.7% less was spent on deals compared to October.

• In terms of M&A deal activity, 7 of the 21 sectors tracked by FactSet saw an increase in M&A deal activity over the past three months relative to the same three-month period one year ago. The six sectors that witnessed the largest increases in M&A deal volume were: Technology Services (889 vs. 702), Commercial Services (466 vs. 409), Non-Energy Minerals (115 vs. 65), Industrial Services (241 vs. 196), Miscellaneous (23 vs. 15), and Retail Trade (99 vs. 91).
• On the other hand, 13 of the 21 sectors tracked by FactSet saw a decrease in M&A deal activity over the past three months relative to the same three-month period one year ago. The five sectors that witnessed the largest declines in M&A deal volume were: Finance (692 vs. 780), Producer Manufacturing (184 vs. 235), Distribution Services (137 vs. 187), Consumer Services (208 vs. 236) and Health Technology (100 vs. 127).

U.S. M&A deal activity decreased in October, going down 3.3% with 1,270 announcements compared to 1,314 in September. However, aggregate M&A spending increased. In October, 20.4% more was spent on deals compared to September.

• In terms of M&A deal activity, 6 of the 21 sectors FactSet tracks saw an increase in M&A deal activity over the past three months relative to the same three-month period one year ago. The five sectors that witnessed the largest increases in M&A deal volume are: Technology Services (883 vs. 701), Commercial Services (477 vs. 406), Non-Energy Minerals (122 vs. 63), Industrial Services (248 vs. 216) and Miscellaneous (18 vs. 14).
• On the other hand, 13 of the 21 sectors FactSet tracks saw a decrease in M&A deal activity over the past three months relative to the same three-month period one year ago. The five sectors that witnessed the largest declines in M&A deal volume are: Finance (669 vs. 756), Distribution Services (129 vs. 182), Producer Manufacturing (178 vs. 221), Consumer Non-Durables (69 vs. 95) and Consumer Services (200 vs. 222).

U.S. M&A deal activity increased in September, going up 11.2% with 1,146 announcements compared to 1,031 in August. Aggregate M&A spending increased as well. In September 41.8% more was spent on deals compared to August.

• In terms of M&A deal activity, 7 of the 21 sectors tracked by FactSet saw an increase in M&A deal activity over the past three months relative to the same three-month period one year ago. The five sectors that witnessed the largest increases in M&A deal volume were: Technology Services (803 vs. 702), Non-Energy Minerals (102 vs. 54), Commercial Services (430 vs. 389), Consumer Services (229 vs. 216) and Process Industries (84 vs. 77).
• On the other hand, 12 of the 21 sectors tracked by FactSet saw a decrease in M&A deal activity over the past three months relative to the same three-month period one year ago. The five sectors that witnessed the largest declines in M&A deal volume were: Finance (529 vs. 702), Producer Manufacturing (157 vs. 223), Distribution Services (105 vs. 169), Health Services (94 vs. 124) and Transportation (65 vs. 85).

U.S. M&A deal activity decreased in August, going down 15% with 956 announcements compared to 1,125 in July. Aggregate M&A spending decreased as well. In August, 35.1% less was spent on deals compared to July.

• In terms of M&A deal activity, 6 of the 21 sectors tracked by FactSet saw an increase in M&A deal activity over the past three months relative to the same three-month period one year ago. The five sectors that witnessed the largest increases in M&A deal volume were: Technology Services (744 vs. 701), Electronic Technology (89 vs. 64), Producer Manufacturing (181 vs. 165), Transportation (74 vs. 60) and Non-Energy Minerals (74 vs. 60).
• On the other hand, 14 of the 21 sectors tracked by FactSet saw a decrease in M&A deal activity over the past three months relative to the same three-month period one year ago. The five sectors that witnessed the largest declines in M&A deal volume were: Finance (595 vs. 682), Distribution Services (102 vs. 160), Producer Manufacturing (177 vs. 211), Retail Trade (66 vs. 91) and Health Services (83 vs. 104).