NEW YORK, July 8, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Berkery Noyes, (http://www.berkerynoyes.com) the leading independent investment bank specializing in the information content and technology industries, today released its Half Year Mergers and Acquisitions Trends Report for the Information Industry.
The report analyzes merger and acquisition activity in the segment across the first half of 2011 and compares it with activity for the four previous sixth-month periods from 2009-2010.
The Information Industry, which Berkery Noyes defines as all media, software, and online companies, continued its strong recovery into the first half of 2011. Transaction volume increased by 10 percent over the period, while aggregate transaction value increased by 28 percent, rising from $63.5 billion to $81.1 billion.
Transaction multiples also continued to climb. According to the report, median EBITDA multiples rose 50 percent over for the six-month period and median revenue multiples increased by 54 percent. Both of these figures represent new highs of the periods analyzed in this report.
Google, Inc. remained acquisitive within the Information Industry, purchasing 13 companies over the first half of the year, bringing its two-and-a-half year total to 45. The firm's most recent purchases represented a wide range of companies and technologies in the Information sector, including social network analytics, search engines, and messaging services.
The largest transaction during the period was Microsoft Corporation's announced acquisition of Skype Technologies SA from an investor group led by Silver Lake Partners for $9.08 billion.
The Berkery Noyes analysis also shows that companies with a predominantly internet-based business model now represent the majority of acquired companies in the Information Industry. In first half 2011, 56% of companies sold were predominantly internet-based compared to 33% in first half 2004, an increase of 60%.
Unique among investment banking firms, (http://www.berkerynoyes.com) Berkery Noyes combines independent strategic research and industry intelligence with senior sector specific banking expertise. Long having been an innovator in database and research technology in M&A, Berkery Noyes has committed itself to providing more expansive and more current information on the acquisition activity in its sectors.
A copy of the First Half 2011 Information Industry M&A Report (http://www.berkerynoyes.com/pages/trend_reports/index.aspx) is available at the Berkery Noyes website.
About Berkery Noyes
Berkery Noyes is an independent investment banking advisory firm servicing the information industry. Focused on middle-market corporations and financial sponsors, Berkery Noyes is committed to delivering a comprehensive array of industry-leading advisory services. Since its founding by Joseph W. Berkery in 1983, the firm has worked with corporate clients to grow through acquisition, divest non-core assets, and maximize shareholder returns through strategic transactions and restructurings. For private owners, Berkery Noyes helps create liquidity and execute timely exit strategies that achieve the personal and professional objectives. For more information, visit www.berkerynoyes.com.
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