Here's what will propel the privatisation wave in Singapore this year

The first quarter isn’t over, and five firms already received takeover offers.

The wave of merger & acquisition and privatisation deals has gained momentum last year and is expected to continue this year, a report from DBS said.

Some of the factors propelling this trend are cheap valuations, low liquidity, dominant shareholder control, strong asset backing, and strong brand premiums, as private-equity funds scout for undervalued gems whilst rich shareholders and owners put up offers to privatise companies.

"Despite the Straits Times Index’s recent outperformance, valuation remains inexpensive versus regional peers. This, coupled with green shoots of recovery, has revived interest in Singapore equities, adding fuel to the M&A momentum," DBS noted.

Since 2013, more than 20 companies are taken private or bought out. Two months into 2017, there are reported buyout offers for five companies, offering premiums of between 2% and 21% over their last transaction price.

Check the table below to see the privatisation deals announced this year so far:

The people you want to reach are already in this room.

Every quarter, SBR lands on the desks of the founders, CFOs, and directors running Asia's most consequential companies. Every day, they open our newsletter and read our website. It's a room that took twenty years to build — and it's the one most of our partners are trying to get into.

The good news is that the door is open. We work with companies on thought leadership articles, sponsored content, industry summits across Southeast Asia, regional awards programmes, podcasts, and media placements in print and digital. The shape of the right partnership depends on what you're trying to do, which is why we'd rather start with a conversation than send a rate card.

If you have something this room should know about, tell us. We'll tell you honestly whether we can help, and how.

No rate cards until we understand the brief. It's a better use of everyone's time.

Book a meeting

| Or download the media kit (PDF)

240,000 senior readers quarterly in print Top 1,700 Singapore companies reached

7 markets across Southeast Asia