The number of corporate takeovers involving Dutch firms rose 15% in the first six months of this year but the total value of the deals almost halved, according to research by website Overfusies.nl.

In total, 249 deals were signed in the 2011 first half, compared with 216 in the same period in 2010. However, the value of the mergers and acquisitions went down almost 50% to €24bn.
In the first six months of 2010, 11 deals took place with a value of more than €1bn. This year, only six have broken the €1bn barrier so far.
The biggest deal involving a Dutch firm so far this year has been the €6.3bn sale of ING Direct USA to Capital One.