Deal value in the metals industry declines amid global financial crisis: PricewaterhouseCoopers.

(From Canada Newswire)

Byline: JUSTIN PRITCHARD

TORONTO , Nov. 17 /CNW/ - The current global financial crisis and economic slowdown contributed to a significant decrease in deal value in the global metals industry during the first three quarters of 2008, according to a report released today by PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC): Forging Ahead: Global Mergers and Acquisitions Analysis - Third Quarter 2008.

Total deal values lagged in 2008, totalling only $72.2 billion during the first three quarters, indicating that deal value will not surpass last year's total of $298.2 billion . An absence of large deal announcements (deal value of at least $10 billion ) coupled with a significant decline in average deal value, were the major contributors to the overall decline in total deal value.

In …