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The waste collection services industry in Canada, is defined as collecting hazardous and non-hazardous waste and recyclable materials. Non-hazardous waste includes municipal solid waste and industrial and commercial waste. The industry includes transfer stations where waste is transferred from local vehicles to long-distance vehicles for transport to disposal facilities. The industry includes private solid waste management companies that provide curbside collection, recycling and other waste management solutions to both households and businesses.

For five long years, generalist investors have shunned the Canadian oil and gas sector, but due to a slowdown in the US shale sector, experts think this might be about to change.

M&A activity within the manufacturing sector in North America decreased further in Q4 2019. Despite the increase in total transaction value there was a reduction in the number of disclosed deals during the quarter, from 117 in Q3 to 110 in Q4. The increase in total disclosed transaction value from $45.4 billion to $72.8 billion was largely the result of two significant transactions in the quarter.

Healthcare M&A activity in the fourth quarter of 2019 exceeded $6.7 billion in disclosed transaction value across 494 deals in Canada and the US. 2019 has seen a carry-over of the robust M&A activity that the Healthcare industry has become accustomed to in recent years. Strategic and financial acquirers are positioning themselves to compete more effectively via inorganic growth strategies through mergers or takeovers, often pursuing targets that will either enhance their service offerings or expand their geographical presence.

Q4 2019 M&A activity in the North American food and beverage industry was highlighted by the highest volume of transactions in the past five years. The total number of disclosed transactions in Q4 2019 reached 231, approximately a 27 percent increase from Q3 2019. Despite the increase in transaction volume, average disclosed transaction value fell from $53.3 million US in Q3 2019 to $40.3 million in Q4 2019 as a result of fewer multi-billion dollar transactions during the period.

Engineering and construction M&A activity in North America declined in Q4 2019, with 98 disclosed transactions (United States: 87; Canada: 11) during the quarter, compared to 118 (United States: 100; Canada: 18) in Q3 2019.

2019 passenger vehicle sales fell short of 2018 by 64,328 units and was the lowest yearly total over the past four years. The net decrease in units sold from 2018 was comprised of a decrease of 96,528 cars and an increase of 32,200 light trucks. The split in domestic vs. foreign sales continues to slowly trend more in favor of foreign vehicle manufacturers, having reached a 40% / 60% domestic / foreign ratio in 2019. Overall vehicle sales were comprised of 75% light truck sales in 2019, up from 73% in 2018.

M&A activity in the cannabis industry has significantly decreased from the third to fourth quarter. In comparison, the fourth quarter saw fewer transaction volume, with no deals surpassing $500 million in the quarter. The average transaction value for all deals ranging from $5 million to $500 million declined by more than 50 percent from the third quarter to the fourth quarter, decreasing from $78 million to $33 million. This was the first time since Q3 2017 that total transaction value fell below $1 billion for one quarter.

Canadian mid-market M&A activity in Q4 2019 bounced back slightly from a slow Q3 2019 as aggregate deal value increased to $4.2 billion, across 51 disclosed transactions. In comparison, Q3 2019 totaled a modest $2.7 billion in aggregate deal value across 43 transactions. Q3 and Q4 2019 displayed the lowest deal volumes seen through the last four years, suggesting cautious optimism towards making transactions in the turbulent global environment.

Step back and reflect to see if you’re ready to sell with these questions.