Outlook for M&A in Israel: Execs expect the bull run to continue Our third annual survey finds that a bullish outlook and the ascendance of domestic and Asian buyers could make 2019 a standout year W&C_Israel_2019_CoverOptions_v3.indd 1 03/05/2019 12:10 Contents Foreword Page 1 Israel M&A, by the numbers Page 2 Dealmaking set to flourish in 2019 as optimism abounds Page 5 Four trends set to define 2019 and beyond Page 12 II White & Case Foreword Israel had a stellar year for M&A in 2018. The country set a new record for value, logging US$26.5 billion over 103 deals uch strong M&A activity may have come as no surprise to readers of last year’s issue of Outlook for M&A in Israel. Indeed, 79 percent of executives we surveyed for last year’s report said that they expected to be involved in more deals in the year ahead than in the previous year. Colin Diamond SCan Israel continue its M&A streak in 2019? That would be impressive, given that the country Partner, White & Case has set new records for value in every year since 2016. Both domestic and international politics are uncertain. And the global economy may be heading for a downturn—indeed, a number of economies are already slowing. For the third year in a row, we conducted a survey to gain insight into the future of Israel M&A. In the first quarter of 2019, Mergermarket surveyed 51 senior-level executives at Israeli companies and private equity firms on their outlook for M&A. The survey included a combination of qualitative and quantitative questions, and all interviews were conducted over the telephone, by appointment. Our research suggests that M&A will continue apace or even accelerate in 2019, as Israeli dealmakers enthuse about the current market. Key takeaways from the study include: Daniel Turgel Partner, White & Case Optimism about future dealmaking is stronger than ever More than three-quarters of survey respondents (76 percent) expect to complete more M&A transactions over the next 12 months than they did in 2018, with optimism about the level of deal activity remaining about the same as it was last year. Anxieties about the availability of financing have not affected confidence regarding dealmaking. Global economic headwinds do not worry dealmakers More than three-quarters of respondents (76 percent) say a global economic slowdown would not make them less likely to engage in M&A. Some 37 percent say a slowdown would actually increase the chances of them doing a deal. Expect domestic acquirers to dominate, Asian investment to rise In recent times, international dealmakers have dominated Israel’s M&A market, but respondents expect domestic acquirers to step up activity in the year ahead. More than two-thirds (69 percent) anticipate that Israeli private companies will be most active over the next 12 months. Respondents also anticipate an increase in the number of Asian acquirers as a proportion of the international dealmakers active in the country. Outlook for M&A in Israel: Execs expect the bull run to continue 1 Israel M&A, by the numbers Total Israel M&A 2013 – 2019 YTD 35 US$20,000 30 US$15,000 25 Value (US$ million) Value 20 US$10,000 Volume 15 10 US$5,000 5 0 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1 US$0 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 Volume Value (US$ million) Top-ten Israel M&A deals 2018 Announced date Target company Target sector Bidder company Bidder country Deal value (US$ million) 07/05/2018 Frutarom Industries, Ltd. Industrials and chemicals International Flavors & Fragrances Inc. USA 7,036 20/08/2018 SodaStream International Ltd. Consumer PepsiCo, Inc. USA 3,174 19/03/2018 Orbotech Ltd TMT KLA-Tencor Corporation USA 3,101 01/11/2018 J.O.E.L. Jerusalem Oil Exploration Ltd. Energy, mining and Equital LTD Israel 2,663 (62.93% Stake) utilities 20/09/2018 Mazor Robotics Ltd. (88.69% stake) Pharma, medical and Medtronic plc USA 1,340 biotech 02/09/2018 Africa Israel Investments Ltd. Real estate Moti Ben-Moshe (Private investor) Israel 1,300 29/01/2018 Tamar field (7.5% stake); Dalit field Energy, mining and Tamar Petroleum Ltd. Israel 798 (7.5% stake) utilities 08/11/2018 Mizrahi Tefahot Bank (18.99% stake) Financial services Eyal Ofer (Private investor) Israel 766 28/07/2018 Leumi Card Ltd. Financial services Warburg Pincus LLC USA 684 05/09/2018 Bank Leumi le-Israel BM (5.32% stake) Financial services Citi USA 524 2 White & Case Israel M&A 2018 – sectors by volume Israel M&A 2018 – sectors by value (US$ million) TMT Industrials and chemicals Industrials and chemicals TMT Pharma, medical and biotech Energy, mining and utilities Business services Consumer Consumer Financial services Energy, mining and utilities Pharma, medical and biotech Financial services Real estate Construction Defense Real estate Business services Defense Construction Leisure Leisure Transportation Transportation 0 5 10 15 20 25 30 0 2,000 4,000 6,000 8,000 Volume Value (US$ million) Israel M&A 2018 – top bidders by volume Israel M&A 2018 – top bidders by value (US$ million) USA 29 deals USA US$16,540 million Germany United Kingdom Thailand Germany 4 deals 4 deals US$465 million US$305 million Source: Mergermarket Outlook for M&A in Israel: Execs expect the bull run to continue 3 Dealmaking set to flourish in 2019 as optimism abounds Confident companies, the re-emergence of domestic dealmakers, interest from Asia and a cutting-edge technology sector look likely to drive dealmaking in Israel to new heights in 2019—perhaps even surpassing a record-breaking 2018 By Colin Diamond and Daniel Turgel eals targeting Israeli by US-based chemicals and Optimism about M&A companies hit an all-time materials firm International Flavors is stronger than ever high of US$26.5 billion & Fragrances. The next biggest After two exceptionally busy Din 2018, from 103 deals—an deal was in the consumer sector, years for M&A activity in Israel, increase of 4.5 percent in terms when US giant PepsiCo announced our survey respondents seem of value compared to 2017. Much it would pay US$3.2 billion for US unconcerned that the market may of this increase was due to a jump SodaStream International. pause for breath, and remain upbeat in domestic dealmaking, which And, according to our survey about 2019. Indeed, 25 percent increased 178 percent over 2018 to of 51 senior Israeli executives, $26.5 of respondents expect their almost US$8.1 billion as deal flow the 2019 outlook could be even billion organization to do significantly more from foreign buyers fell 18 percent stronger, with domestic dealmakers Value of deals in deals over the next 12 months than to US$18.4 billion. Additionally, increasingly optimistic about 2018 targeting Israeli companies— in 2018—ahead of the 19 percent outbound activity also dropped the M&A environment, ready to an increase of 4.5 who predicted a much busier period 39 percent to US$2 billion. continue acquiring in the face of any percent compared a year ago. A further 51 percent These totals include a number of global downturn, and challenging to 2017 and an anticipate doing moderately more headline-grabbing deals. Inbound foreign investors for prize assets at all-time-high total deals, while just 2 percent think M&A was headed by Frutarom home while also welcoming new M&A activity will decline. Industries’ US$7 billion acquisition entrants from Asia. Over the next 12 months, do you expect your organization to be involved in more or fewer M&A deals in Israel compared to the previous 12 months? Significantly more Moderately more Stay the same Moderately fewer Significantly fewer 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 2019 2018 2017 Outlook for M&A in Israel: Execs expect the bull run to continue 5 There are several explanations Over the next 12 months, do you expect competition for assets in for this positive outlook. One is Israel to change compared to the previous 12 months? certainly the continuing strength of Israel’s technology sector, with startup and scale-up businesses 0% often found at the center of M&A, both domestically and internationally (see “Technology still Significant increase on top”, page 11, for more). And, even early in 2019, the burgeoning tech market is once again proving irresistible to foreign buyers—eight of the top-ten deals Moderate increase are in the sector. Major transactions include UK private equity firm Novalpina Capital’s purchase of cyber intelligence business NSO Group for US$850 million. Stay the same Another factor is the growing maturity of Israeli businesses and their determination to diversify. “Entrepreneurs in Israel are seeking out multiple trading routes to Moderate decrease support their domestic business,” explains the managing partner of one private equity firm. “Bidding 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% on non-Israeli companies means venturing into newer markets and 2019 2018 2017 settling into the next phase of operations for the organization.” Competition drives value Over the next 12 months, do you expect the availability of financing With startups requiring funding to for M&A transactions in Israel to change compared to the previous grow and innovative technology a key 12 months? driver for global M&A, the best Israeli assets are in ever-higher demand, 0% with survey respondents expecting competition for targets to intensify over the next 12 months.