Hostile takeover bids in the global merger and acquisition space dipped to a four-year low to USD 10.9 billion in the first quarter of 2009, a report by global deal tracking firm Dealogic has said.

"Only 24 hostile deals were announced in the first quarter of 2009 for a volume of USD 10.9 billion, the lowest since the second quarter of 2005," the report said.

Again the number of such deals in the March quarter have touched the lowest since the third quarter of 2007, it said.

Besides, the volume of hostile bids by corporate houses announced so far this year totaled USD 26.5 billion, which accounts for only four per cent of the globally announced M&As.

Of the bids announced so far this year, 91 per cent are still pending, seven per cent has been withdrawn and two per cent completed.

A hostile bid can be defined as a takeover attempt being made despite strong resistance by the target firm.

During the year, the premiums for such bids have gone up substantially by 43 per cent, the report said.

"Average one-week premiums for hostile deals have reached 43 per cent in 2009, higher than all full-year averages on record. Premiums have steadily increased from 23 per cent in 2007 to 35 per cent in 2008 and up to their current level in 2009 YTD," it said.