Mergers and acquisitions activity hit its lowest quarterly level in more than seven years in the first quarter of this year, but investment bankers said a run-up in the markets will help turn the tide.Global volumes of announced M&A deals dropped to $416 billion in the first quarter of 2012 from $737 billion a year ago, according to preliminary Thomson Reuters data, as the euro zone's debt crisis and concerns over economic growth around the world took their toll.JPMorgan Chase & Co rose to the top from the No.5 spot, knocking Goldman Sachs Group Inc down to second in the worldwide M&A advisory league tables, with Citigroup Inc up one spot to third.Financial markets made a strong come back in the first quarter of this year and M&A professionals said deals would follow, pointing to a lead time between the improving financing conditions and the signing of deals.
Citigroup Inc. (Citigroup) is a global diversified financial services holding company whose businesses provide consumers, corporations, governments and institutions with a broad range of financial products and services. Shares of C fell by 2.38% or $-0.9/share to $36.90. In the past year, the shares have traded as low as $21.40 and as high as $46.90. On average, 48803400 shares of C exchange hands on a given day and today's volume is recorded at 51432004.
The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (Goldman Sachs) is a bank holding and a financial holding company. Shares of GS fell by 0.99% or $-1.25/share to $124.74. In the past year, the shares have traded as low as $84.27 and as high as $164.40. On average, 6760520 shares of GS exchange hands on a given day and today's volume is recorded at 5028888.
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