2004 record year for M&A in UK by UK companies

 The  UK has seen the highest number of M&A deals conducted by UK companies

 for  10  years, with a total of 694 acquisitions in 2004, according to the

 latest statistics published yesterday by the Office of National Statistics

 and analysed by Grant Thornton Corporate Finance.

 “These  statistics  show  that  UK  M&A  activity continues to demonstrate

 strength  and  resilience  both  in  terms of deal volumes and values. The

 general  picture  of UK M&A is a healthy one, where buyers are looking for

 good investments and will pay excellent prices for strategically important

 businesses.