Milwaukee-based Robert W. Baird & Co. Inc. today reported a record year for its investment banking arm in 2013.
The firm completed 202 global mergers and acquisitions, equity and debt financing transactions worth more than $61 billion. The figure marks a 43 percent increase from 2012’s transaction value.
The equity financing business was particularly successful, with $40 billion raised in more than 120 transactions. Net revenue from equity financing was up 70 percent year-over-year.
“We experienced a broad, yet balanced mix of equity underwriting activity across all of our industry teams and participated in a record number of initial public offerings,” the company said in its report. “More importantly, we also served as a book runner or lead manager on a record number of transactions. Baird has become a middle-market leader in equity origination while maintaining our commitment to independent research excellence and investing in a balanced institutional sales and trading model and our Private Wealth Management business.”
The firm’s M&A deals totaled $17 billion in 2013, and more than one-third involved an international party.
“The investments that we have continued to make to further enhance our European banking presence resulted in Baird advising on a record number of M&A deals on the continent,” the firm said. “Our integrated global sector expertise and financial sponsor coverage model were key factors in generating successful outcomes across our franchise.”
