Mubasher: The value of announced mergers & acquisitions (M&A) transactions with any “Middle Eastern involvement” fell 29% year-on-year to $18.7 billion during the first six months of 2016, according to a report by Thomson Reuters.

Middle Eastern equity and equity-related issuance reached $1.1 billion in H1-16, 80% down from H1-15, according to Nadim Najjar, managing director, MENA, Thomson Reuters.

Investment banking fees in the Middle East rose 8% year-on-year to reach $416.8 million in H1-16.

Debt issuance stood at $32.9 billion in H1-16, a growth of 45% from the value raised during the first half of 2015, Najjar highlighted.