Deal making in the global metals sector soared to unprecedented levels during 2007 and is up 67% on the previous year, despite the impact of the credit crunch, according to a study by PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC).

The study also found there have been dynamic shifts of focus: from steel to aluminum and away from Western Europe to the new M&A hotspot of North America, and in particular Canada.

The rate at which the metals industry is consolidating increased dramatically during 2007. There were 411 disclosed deals, slightly more than the 385 that took place in 2006. But the aggregate value of those deals was US$144.7 billion, a massive increase on the US$86.4 billion traded the previous year. The aluminum sector accounted for much of this activity, with 56 transactions collectively worth US$77.3 billion, nearly four times the US$21.3 billion it generated in total between 2003 and 2006.

“The scope for deal-making in the global metals sector is huge, despite the turbulence in the capital markets,” says Jim Forbes, global metals leader, PwC. “In fact, with asset prices looking set to continue to slide as a result and corporate buyers enjoying a stronger hand than ever, M&A activity will be stimulated even further. The fragmented steel sector looks particularly ripe for further consolidation.”

According to the study North America has become the world’s metals M&A hotspot, with 115 deals worth US$77 billion, nearly as much as the value traded in the entire metals industry the previous year.

Rio Tinto’s acquisition of Alcan accounted for nearly half this sum but a number of steelmakers based in emerging economies also purchased North American producers as a means both of moving up the value chain and of getting access to the U.S. market, where steel consumption is forecast to outstrip production for the next few years.

Deal making was particularly hectic in Canada. Two of the three new owners of the key remaining independent steel companies came from other regions, indicating the Canadian government believes it is better to have strong local operations in foreign control than it is to have locally owned companies that are struggling to compete.

The report anticipates that steelmakers from the emerging and industrialized markets alike will continue to show considerable interest in North America for some time to come. The longer term outlook is attractive and U.S. consumption is forecast to grow by 3% a year for the next two years.

A copy of the report ‘Forging Ahead 2007’ can be downloaded at: www.pwc.com/metals