Stock markets in China may be in bear market territory, but that has not stopped Chinese firms from going on a buying spree for American companies.
Direct investments from China put over $15 billion into transactions in the U.S. last year, a near-30 percent increase compared to the previous year and a new all-time high. Early indication points to 2016 as yet another record year for Chinese investments, according to a report by the National Committee on U.S.-China Relations and a research firmRhodium Group.
"In 2016, China's outbound foreign direct investment (OFDI) will likely grow even faster than in previous years," the report said. "A more pronounced slowdown in economic growth and concerns about the stability of the renminbi exchange rate have visibly accelerated the pace of Chinese deal-making abroad since mid-2015, with a record $100 billion of announced M&A transactions worldwide in the first three months of the year."
A significant share of that capital outflow has already found a home in North America. So far this year, 72 deals (including merger/acquisition and private placement) valued at over $7.5 billion have closed and 27 new deals valued at over $33 billion targeting U.S.-based companies have been announced. This compares to 59 deals valued at $2.9 billion closing during the same period last year, per data compiled by S&P Capital IQ.