UK Dealmakers in Year-End Push as M&A Wave Hits $160 Billion (1)

A sudden wave of M&A activity has hit the UK this week, bucking concerns about a slowdown under the new Labour government and securing the country’s top spot among European dealmaking destinations.

Aviva Plc on Wednesday announced a £3.3 billion ($4.2 billion) takeover bid for Direct Line Insurance Group Plc, quickly followed a day later by Macquarie Asset Management’s offer to acquire Renewi Plc for about £701 million. Both confirmed earlier reports from Bloomberg News.

ABC Technologies Holdings Inc., which is backed by Apollo Global Management Inc., is nearing an agreement to buy British manufacturer TI Fluid ...