Korea Securities Depository (KSD) reported on the 23rd that among the listed companies in the first half of this year, 77 companies have completed or are in the process of mergers and acquisitions (M&A). This is an increase of 18.5% (12 companies) compared to the same period last year.
The listed companies that have completed or are pursuing M&A include 18 in the KOSPI market and 59 in the KOSDAQ market, which reflects an increase of 8.3% (1 company) and 17.8% (8 companies), respectively, compared to the first half of last year.
By reason for the M&A, mergers accounted for 66 companies, or 85.7% of the total. This was followed by 7 companies for stock exchange (9.1%) and 4 companies for business transfer (5.2%).
In the first half of this year, the total amount paid to shareholders for stock buyback claims through the Korea Securities Depository (KSD) due to M&A was 31.6 billion won. This is a decrease of 57.6% (43 billion won) compared to the same period last year. The stock buyback claims refer to the company's purchase of shares held by shareholders opposing the M&A.