Another view of the private company market from Mergerstat

After declining 26% in 2008, the number of mergers and acquisitions announced in the U.S. decreased only 13% in 2009. “The market, it seems, had nowhere to go but up.” reports FactSet/Mergerstat. On the bright side (if there is one) dealflow has increased each quarter in 2009, the longest such trend since 1995-1996.

In addition to providing individual deal data, such as payment methods and premiums, the Review also indicates which industries are most active and how their premiums, TIC/EBITDA, TIC/EBIT and P/E averages, compare to the market as a whole. In 2009, the top seller industry, with respect to the number of announcements, was Computer Software, Supplies & Services.  The top seller industry with respect to the dollar value of announcements was Drugs, Medical Supplies & Equipment.

The 2010 edition – which is available exclusively through BVR – now includes the Mergerstat Monthly Review, a monthly summary (in PDF) of deals, trends and industry spotlights for anyone who purchases the Review.  To order click here.