Morgan Stanley and RBC Shine as Oil & Gas M&A Powerhouses – Report

Morgan Stanley and RBC Capital Markets have emerged as the frontrunners in the realm of mergers and acquisitions (M&A) financial advisory services within the oil and gas sector for the initial three quarters of 2023, both in terms of the total value and the volume of transactions. This recognition has been substantiated by a recent report from GlobalData, a reputable source for data and analytics.

GlobalData’s comprehensive financial advisers league table evaluates and ranks financial advisory firms based on their involvement in M&A transactions, quantifying the importance of their contributions in both value and volume. The data derives from GlobalData’s extensive Financial Deals Database, providing invaluable insights into the financial landscape of the oil and gas sector.

Morgan Stanley, a financial giant renowned for its expertise in investment banking, secured the leading position in the value category. The firm’s advisory services were instrumental in M&A deals valued at an astonishing $53.7 billion during the first three quarters of 2023. This exceptional achievement underscores Morgan Stanley’s formidable position as a trusted financial adviser in the oil and gas industry. Notably, this period witnessed a substantial upswing in the overall deal value when compared to the corresponding period in 2022.

Aurojyoti Bose, Lead Analyst at GlobalData, offered insightful commentary on Morgan Stanley’s performance, highlighting the firm’s remarkable feat of surpassing the $50 billion mark in total deal value during the aforementioned period. Of the 12 deals in which Morgan Stanley provided advisory services, eight were classified as billion-dollar deals, with one of them being a colossal mega deal valued at over $10 billion. This active involvement in significant, high-value transactions propelled Morgan Stanley to the zenith of the value rankings. In addition to this, Morgan Stanley demonstrated its multifaceted capabilities by securing the sixth position in terms of transaction volume during the same timeframe.

Simultaneously, RBC Capital Markets, a prominent player in the financial advisory arena, dominated the volume category, contributing advisory services to a total of 29 deals. This impressive feat further cements RBC Capital Markets’ reputation as a reliable and proactive financial adviser within the oil and gas sector. Remarkably, the firm managed to secure the fourth position in terms of value, underlining its prowess in handling substantial transactions. RBC Capital Markets was instrumental in advising on 10 billion-dollar deals during the first three quarters of 2023, showcasing its versatility and adaptability in catering to clients with diverse needs.

An analysis of GlobalData’s Financial Deals Database reveals a comprehensive view of the competitive landscape in the oil and gas M&A advisory sector. Goldman Sachs secured the second position in terms of value, with advisory contributions amounting to an impressive $43.9 billion. Following closely, Bank of America demonstrated its financial prowess by advising on deals valued at $34.4 billion, while RBC Capital Markets maintained its strong presence with deals amounting to $33.9 billion. Perella Weinberg Partners also made its mark in the sector, contributing advisory services to deals valued at $30.9 billion.

When considering the transaction volume, JP Morgan captured the second position with a commendable total of 16 deals. This underscores JP Morgan’s active role in facilitating a significant number of transactions within the oil and gas industry. Evercore and Citi followed suit with 14 and 13 deals, respectively, highlighting their substantial involvement in M&A transactions. Barclays, too, secured the same number of deals, underscoring its contribution to the dynamic landscape of financial advisory services in the oil and gas sector.

In conclusion, Morgan Stanley and RBC Capital Markets have emerged as the leading financial advisers in the oil and gas sector, attaining top positions in both value and volume categories for M&A transactions during the first three quarters of 2023. Their exceptional performance, along with the contributions of other esteemed firms, underscores the robust nature of the financial advisory landscape within the oil and gas industry. As these financial giants continue to play pivotal roles in shaping the future of the sector, their expertise and insights will undoubtedly influence the trajectory of oil and gas M&A activities in the coming years.