JAPAN OUTBOUND M&A AT RECORD HIGH
Japan outbound M&A YTD volume reached US$33.2billion, the best annual start on record, up 265% from the same period in 2010. M&A deals are targeted at the Healthcare industry, with deal values reaching US$13.8 billion from 7 deals, compared to non-existent deal flow in the sector last year. Switzerland and Brazil are the top target nations, accounting for US$16 billion and US$2 billion of deal activity, respectively.

CHINA & INDIA DRIVE ASIA PE INVESTMENTS
Asia ex Japan Private Equity investments total US$9.5 billion, up 40% year-on-year, with venture capital deals accounting for roughly half of the tally at US$48 billion.
China and India continue to lead PE in the region as the biggest beneficiaries, attracting US$6.2 and US$1.5 billion worth of disbursements for 81% of regional market share.

SOUTH KOREA'S EQUITY MARKET DOWN 71%
South Korea equity issuance has dropped 71% from all time high of US$10.4 billion to the current total of US$3 billion from 61 deals this year.
The decline is largely attributed to lack of capital raised by IPOs, decreasing 80% from the same period in 2010, a total US$1.4 billion from 24 offerings, the lowest since 2007.

ENDS