Billionaire investor Alex Waislitz believes merger and acquisition activity will increase in the local equities market this year, as companies look to take over rivals in the search for revenue growth.

​Mr Waislitz, the executive chairman of listed investment company Thorney Opportunities, said his firm would look to buy or increase its stakes in companies that make be subject to takeover bids, in the belief many firms will come under pressure from shareholders to undertake corporate activity to maintain returns.