Goldman Sachs Group Inc. is on its way to taking the top spot among advisers on Japanese takeovers for the first time in five years, supplanting Nomura Holdings Inc., as companies striving to compete globally turn increasingly to foreign investment banks.
The New York-based firm was hired for $54.1 billion in acquisitions announced so far this year involving Japanese companies, surpassing Nomura's $47.2 billion, according to data compiled by Bloomberg. In 2010, Nomura held the top spot with $47.6 billion in deals, while JPMorgan Chase & Co. was second with $27 billion and Goldman Sachs at No. 7 with about $10 billion.
Overseas banks are set to occupy three of the top four spots in a market that is headed for a record this year as clients seek advice on competing abroad while consolidating domestic operations following the record March earthquake. Goldman Sachs, ranked No. 2 globally, won the top spot in Japan after advising on two of this year's three biggest deals.