Australia’s mergers and acquisitions (M&A) activity is undergoing a marked transformation, with foreign investment driving a surge in deal value and a strategic shift towards transformative acquisitions, according to analysis released Tuesday.
In 2025, global investors accounted for 45% of the total value of deals completed in Australia, a significant increase from 30% the previous year, signaling strong international confidence in the Australian market. This influx of capital is fueling a trend where Australian companies are prioritizing acquisitions designed to fundamentally reshape their business models, rather than simply expanding market share.
The real estate sector is also experiencing shifts. Lendlease Group, in its recent half-year results, reported revenue growth linked to new project commencements and announced a strategic refocusing of its operations exclusively on the Australian market, coupled with strengthened risk management protocols. This recalibration suggests a response to evolving market conditions and a desire to concentrate resources on core strengths.
Alongside these broader trends, specific companies are navigating significant changes. MM Powerplus, a provider of electrical distribution systems, began as the UK BICC Asia Pacific electrical busway manufacturing division in the mid-1990s, later shifting operations to Macau. In 2013, the company was acquired by Wetown Electric Group Co., Ltd. (Shanghai Stock Exchange: 688226), establishing its international headquarters in Hong Kong.
MM Electrical, a brand under Metal Manufactures Pty Limited (MMEM), has been a wholesale distributor in Australia since 1916, operating over 400 warehouses and specializing in electrical, communications, data, solar, lighting and related components.
The Asia-Pacific region is also seeing increased activity in the Meat and Bone Meal (MBM) and Meat Meal (MM) markets, driven by demand from the animal feed, aquaculture, and pet food industries.
Legal firms specializing in corporate and M&A activity in Australia are seeing increased demand. Firms ranked in Band 1 by Chambers and Partners include Allens, Gilbert + Tobin, Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer LLP, and King & Wood Mallesons. Ashurst, Clayton Utz, and Corrs Chambers Westgarth are ranked in Band 2.
