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“We believe the recent rebound in mergers and acquisitions is rapidly gaining momentum and we’re forecasting global deal activity to rise by as much as 36% next year, by comparison to 2010“ said Lionel Melka, portfolio manager and head of research at Bernheim, Dreyfus. “This growth will take deal size up to $3 trillion.”

Melka added that the acceleration in M&A is exemplified by the recent deals such as Caterpillar/Bucyrus ($7.2bn), EMC/Isilon ($2.2bn) and Axa / Axa Pacific ($13.1 bn). “We are convinced there are further deals like these down the pipeline,” he added.

According to Barclay Managed Funds Report, the Diva Synergy Fund, managed by Bernheim, Dreyfus, is one of the major beneficiaries of this strong business growth. Diva Synergy has recently been ranked sixth by Barclay in the worldwide Merger Arbitrage Category for the past three years and the Fund is also ranked best performer on year-to-date and last twelve months basis worldwide in its category by: Barrons, Morningstar, Barclay Hedge and Eureka Hedge. (Diva Synergy is up some 34% in the 12 months to end-October).

Bernheim, Dreyfus continues to invest and participate in a series of high-profile deals including Sanofi/Genzyme, Air Products/Air Gaz, and Novartis/Alcon. The manager’s research has also identified several potential takeover targets which are being closely monitored. These include Tiffany, Mead Johnson, Millicom, Shire, Symrise and Premier Oil. ‘’We are entering a new M&A cycle. We’ve seen a surge in hostile takeovers, which usually happens in the beginning of a new cycle, we probably have three to four years of M&A activity growing from now on.  The US market is definitely the one leading the cycle, normally there is a delay of 6 months to 1 year, for the European economy and confidence to follow’’ said Lionel Melka.

(press release)

About Bernheim, Dreyfus & Co
Paris-based Bernheim, Dreyfus & Co was founded in 2006 as an alternative investment firm focusing on M&A-related strategies, managing an event driven hedge fund - Diva Synergy. Diva Synergy is managed by Amit Shabi and Lionel Melka. Lionel has 10 years of experience as an M&A advisor for blue chip clients in prestigious banks such as Lazards, Calyon and Rothschilds. He has been involved in more than 20 major transactions totaling more than USD 50 billion.

Amit has long experience in asset management and in sales of OTC hedging strategies in companies like Rothschild and Man Group. Corporate website: Source

- FG