The worldwide volume of mergers and acquisitions fell to its lowest level in four years in the first quarter of 2008 as the credit squeeze and market turmoil continues to put a brake on deal-making activity.

UK Daily View

Chris Hughes, investment banking correspondent, on M&A activity

The value of announced M&A in the quarter was $652bn, down 40 per cent from the same period last year. It was the least active first quarter since 2004, according to preliminary figures from Dealogic.