Firms advise on Coca-Cola deal with Melbourne beverage firm… Ensure access to EU patent court lawyers urge UK government…
.jpg)
A new outlook for M&A activity in Asia Pacific shows strong intentions for 2019.
The EY survey of executives conducted in August and September reveals that 45% are expecting to acquire within the next 12 months, beating the 42% average for the region over the past 8 years, although down from 46% six months ago.
However, potential geopolitical and regulatory issues were cited by 52% as risks to dealmaking with 29% saying they pose a risk to their core business.
“Asia-Pacific companies are encountering headwinds from ongoing trade disputes as well as rising US interest rates – but dealmakers in the region remain resilient,” said Harsha Basnayake, EY Asia-Pacific Transaction Advisory Services Leader. “Achieving scale through mergers is the answer to slower growth for many companies. While many will be cautious as the geopolitical landscape shifts, others will not lose focus of intra-regional opportunities across Asia-Pacific markets – the longer-term opportunities for growth are compelling for companies.”
The Asia-Pacific edition of the 19th EY Global Capital Confidence Barometer also shows that the first nine months of 2018 alone saw a 69% increase in total cross-border deal values among Asia Pacific companies.
The top five investment destinations for the region’s executives are China, the United States, Australia, Japan and the United Kingdom.
Firms advise on Coca-Cola deal with Melbourne beverage firm
Several law firms have have advised on the acquisition of 45% of Melbourne-based beverage firm Made Aust Pty Ltd. by Coca-Cola Amatil and The Coca-Cola Company.
Gadens advised Made and its shareholders with a team led by partner Richard Partridge (Corporate Advisory).
Addison Lawyers in Sydney acted for The Coca-Cola Export Corporation; and Gilbert + Tobin in Sydney acted for Coca-Cola Amatil (Aust) Pty Ltd.
Ensure access to EU patent court lawyers urge UK government
Brexit should not mean that the UK misses out on the opportunity of the EU patent court according to lawyers.
The proposed court would enable businesses to enforce their patents in multiple countries rather than launching several proceedings concurrently. Twenty-five EU countries are expected to be involved.
The Law Society Gazette reports that lawyers have told the House of Lords’ EU Justice Sub-Committee that everything possible should be done to ensure the UK can be a part of the court.
Officials have said that a no-deal Brexit would mean membership of the court would not be possible.
