01 Oct 2012 | 11:46 am | 2 min. read
Latest Pinsent Masons What’s Market? Technology Report Q2 2012 shows accelerating deal values
International law firm Pinsent Masons today launched its What’s Market? TechnologyM&A Trends Reportcovering Q2 2012. The report uncovered a promising upward trend in M&A activity, along with continued high levels of startup investment, which doubled from Q1 and together made up 75% of transactions.
In Q2 2012 Pinsent Masons advised on technology transactions with a combined value of more than £380 million, building on the over £30m of deals it advised on in Q1 2012. This dramatic increase is due to a greater average deal value, with M&A levels increasing, particularly in the online retail and IT/Software sectors. Over 60% of deals had an international aspect, demonstrating the global nature of the technology industry.
The Q2 2012 study is the latest research in Pinsent Masons’ What’s Market? Technology M&A Trends Report series, providing a snapshot of recent deal activity in the sector. By comparing this data over the last 18 months, and combining it with its market experience,Pinsent Masonshas been able to provide a comprehensive analysis of the factors currently driving technology M&A. The full report can be downloaded here.
Pinsent Masons' partner Andrew Hornigold commented:
"We have now built up 18 months of data on M&A in the UK tech sector and the overall trend looks extremely positive. Our figures from Q1 predicted a busy year, and these statistics would seem to indicate a tentative return of confidence in the recently turbulent M&A markets. It seems to suggest that buyers and their investors, financiers and other stakeholders may be more willing to accept risks to acquire good assets.”
Jonathan Snade, senior associate, Pinsent Masons added:
“Tech startups continue to attract investment, driven by the Government’s focus on entrepreneurs, which is combining with the ever increasing availability of support from incubators, accelerators and other networks within the Silicon Roundabout community to foster growth. Online retail was the most active sector for transactions. This isn’t a major surprise as our experience tells us that as the number of consumers with tablets and smartphones rises, e-commerce and m-commerce markets will play an increasingly significant role in consumer activity and purchasing behaviour.”
The Pinsent Masons report highlights five key trends:
To download and read the report please visit http://www.pinsentmasons.com/PDF/3376_What's%20Market%20Q2%20Report_Jonathan%20Snade_Aug12%20(8)4.pdf
Key Contacts
Andrew Hornigold
Partner, Head of Client Relationships - Technology, Science & Industry
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