NEW YORK—Sard Verbinnen advised on more mergers and acquisitions around the world last year than any other communications firm, handling 251 transactions globally, with a combined value of $538 billion.

It was the third consecutive year for Sard Verbinnen at the top of the rankings, compiled by financial information specialist mergermarket. The firm was number one in terms of both volume and value of deals worked in 2018 and 2017.

In the global ranking by volume, Sard Verbinnen finished ahead of Kekst CNC, Finsbury Hering Schuppener GPG, Joele Frank Wilkinson Brimmer Katcher, and FTI Consulting. In terms of value of deals worked, the top five included Joele Frank, Brunswick Group, Kekst CNC, and Finsbury.

Lambert & Co., a Michigan-based PR firm that acquired New York financial specialist Owen Blicksilver PR in April of 2018, cracked the top 10 in terms of deal volume, coming in at number nine with 83 deals worked, while Edelman—unusually for a full-service PR firm—was number nine in value of deals worked.

Sard Verbinnen was also number one in North America by volume of deals, ahead of Kekst CNC and Joele Frank, while Joele Frank topped the value ranking, beating out Sard and Kekst CNC.

In Europe, Finsbury Hering Schuppener was tops in terms of volume of deals worked, ahead of FTI Consulting and Brunswich, while Sard Verbinnen led the way in terms of value, beating Brunswick and Finsbury.

FTI was number one in the UK volume ranking, leading Maitland (AMO) and Brunswick, with Brunswick, Finsbury and Teneo leading by value. In Germany, Finsbury Hering Schuppener handled more deals than anyone else, while Kekst CNC led in value terms. In France, local specialist Image Sept was tops in terms of volume, with Brunswick leading in value. In Italy, perennial market leader Barabino was number one in both volume and value.

Across Asia-Pacific (excluding Japan), FTI Consulting was number one in the volume table, ahead of Finsbury and Brunswick. Brunswick led the value ranking, with Finsbury and New York-based Prosek Partners in  the top three. Sard Verbinnen was number one in Japan, by both volume and value.