Regent Q2 2008 M&A Review - Industry Sectors

The remarkable fact in comparing H1 2008 with the same period last year is that there have been very few changes. The content and media sector witnessed exactly the same number of deals - 464 transactions in H1 2007 and H1 2008. Software was virtually the same with 225 transactions in H1 2008; just one less than a year earlier. However this did mask a decline in Application Software deals and corresponding increases in both Consumer and System Software acquisitions.

IT Services deals have fallen some 10% over the course of the year, driven down by falls in Consulting and Outsourcing transactions. Conversely there has been strong interest in IT Solutions companies with a vertical focus. The telecommunications sector has been the primary casualty, particularly in the latest quarter with deal flow down 29% on Q1 2008.