M&A activity in the U.S. securities and investment sector has slowed significantly. During the third quarter, there were eight broker/dealer deals announced, down from 18 deals in the year-ago quarter.

In addition, 29 asset manager deals were announced in the third quarter, down from 49 a year earlier, with deal value slumping to $1.06 billion from $3.24 billion.

On Sept. 24, Victory Capital Holdings Inc. announced that it would acquire Harvest Volatility Management LLC for $599.4 million, marking the largest deal of the third quarter and the third-largest deal of 2018. Three days later, Focus Financial Partners Inc. announced that it would acquire LWI Financial Inc. from Arcadia Loring Ward LLC for $235.0 million in the quarter's second-largest deal.

Focus Financial has been a very active acquirer in the U.S. securities and investment sector, scooping up more than 20 asset managers in three years. The company recently completed an IPO on July 25.

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