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European Technology Acquisitions - 1st Quarter 2008 Review

An analysis of the technology acquisition transactions announced in the 1st Quarter 2008 involving European companies.

Considering some of the threatening economic factors that exist in the world markets, acquisition activity in the first quarter of 2008 held up well and maintained the same level that has been seen for almost three years. There were 787 acquisitions involving European technology companies in Q1 2008, a decline of just 2% from the 799 deals announced in the final quarter of 2007. However the combined value of these acquisitions has fallen dramatically to $45b, almost half of the $86b recorded in the previous quarter. This indicates that whilst recessionary fears and the shortage of suitable credit has had little effect on the smaller deals, it is clearly impacting larger transactions – those valued at more than $100m. Our prediction is that for the remainder of 2008 deal flow will continue at healthy levels, perhaps with some tailing off as the year progresses.

Read the full 1st Quarter 2008 Review