Third Quarter Deal Value for the Power and Utilities Sector Surpasses $11 Billion, According to PwC US

NEW YORK, Nov. 4, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Mergers and acquisitions (M&A) deal value in the North American power and utilities industry reached $11.1 billion during the third quarter of 2014, according to PwC US' quarterly deals snapshot North American Power & Utilities Deals: Q3 2014. The third quarter's 141 percent increase in deal value over the same period last year was driven by larger asset deals and an increase in alternative transactions.

There were 12 power and utilities transactions (with announced deal values greater than $50 million) accounting for $11.1 billion in the third quarter of 2014, which was a 141 percent growth in deal value compared to 12 deals worth $4.6 billion in the third quarter of 2013. Asset transactions accounted for nine deals totaling $9.0 billion, or 75 percent of total deal volume and 81 percent of total deal value in the third quarter of 2014. Alternative power deals comprised 26 percent of total deal value compared to 12 percent during the same period a year ago.

While deal value increased year-over-year, it declined significantly on a sequential basis due to the large corporate deals that occurred in the second quarter of 2014. During that period, there were four corporate mega deals (deals greater than $1 billion) that accounted for $28.4 billion, or 81 percent of total value in the second quarter of 2014, which had the highest quarterly value since 2011.

"Deal activity in the power and utilities industry remained steady in the third quarter as companies made strategic acquisitions of assets and businesses to deliver shareholder value," said Jeremy Fago, PwC's U.S. power & utilities deals leader. "Divestitures of non-regulated power generation assets and businesses are adding scale to and growing the number of independent power producers in the market. At the same time, YieldCos are continuing to pursue assets, with a particular focus on renewables, to feed their business models and sustain growth in cash flows."

Financial investors were active in the quarter, participating in three deals that accounted for 24 percent of total deal value. "Private equity investors continue to buy and sell assets as merchant generation supply and demand fundamentals recover," said Rob McCeney, PwC's U.S. energy & infrastructure deals partner.

Strategic investors accounted for 76 percent of total deal value during the third quarter of 2014, compared to 72 percent during the same time period in 2013.

"Going forward, we may see the vertical integration of gas pipeline assets with power utilities as a result of new rules and regulations that promote the increased use of natural gas. Focus on yield will continue to be a theme driving YieldCo activity and perhaps even transmission related REIT opportunities," added Fago.

For more information on PwC's Power and Utilities and Deals capabilities, visit www.pwc.com/us/utilities and www.pwc.com/us/deals.

About the PwC Power and Utilities Practice

PwC provides assurance, tax and advisory services to the power and utilities industry. Using deep industry experience, PwC helps top power and utilities companies gain operating efficiencies across the business value chain, from fiscal integrity and regulatory issues to increased customer service and talent management.

About PwC US
PwC US helps organizations and individuals create the value they're looking for. We're a member of the PwC network of firms, which has firms in 157 countries with more than 195,000 people. We're committed to delivering quality in assurance, tax and advisory services. Find out more and tell us what matters to you by visiting us at www.pwc.com/US.

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