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).