Hedgies boost focus on China M&A activity, says Copal

Consolidation activity is forecast for China’s cement and bottled beverage industries, and hedge funds and investment banks are scouring for possible mergers in those sectors, according to London-based research and consulting house Copal Partners. Joel Perlman, co-founder and president of Copal, notes that margins are tightening in these sectors particularly. “There will also be merger activity in bottled drinks, given concentrated distribution channels,” he says. Copal is also undert…