M&A - the return of the larger deal

In the latest edition of IndustryViews M&A (IVMA) we review acquisition activity in the UK SITS market for the final quarter of 2009 and across the year. According to data from our good friends at Regent, besides a notable pick up in M&A activity in the UK SITS (software and IT services) sector in Q4, we also saw the return of some larger transactions.

Certainly the downturn didn’t dampen the appetite of some of the industry’s well-known serial acquirers, with Capita buying no fewer than 12 companies last year. Vin Murria was also in fine fettle, with four deals at the increasingly diversified Advanced Computer Software, and three at web hosting player, Innovise.

But we fear the window which appears to be opening again for both M&A and IPOs may shut sooner than you might expect. Indeed, latest data from Regent indicates a dip in M&A activity last month, albeit not unexpected for the time of year. TechMarketView Foundation Service clients can form their own judgments by downloading IVMA today.

Posted by Anthony Miller at '06:00'