You guys give up or are you thirsty for more?

With many of us still working home alone it can be easy to give up on previously laid plans, and it can be a little trickier to keep an eye on what's going on - fortunately we can report that the appetite for acquisitions and investments in the M&A market isn't showing signs of being left behind as we have found.

We are still getting together with purchasers and negotiating some fantastic deals for our selling clients (whether that be in-person, on the phone, or via Zoom, Teams, Hangouts, or if anyone is still using it.. Skype).

In recent reporting from Experian MIQ, UK deals from H1 2020 show increases across the Infocomms, Professional Services, Manufacturing, Wholesale and Retail, and Support Service sectors when compared with H1 2019. Naturally there was a dip over the same period for some sectors, with the volume of deals in the Financial Services sector down by 62.5% but this didn't translate to the value, which only dipped by 26.8% meaning there were some high value deals still being agreed.

 
Nationally, there were over 2500 completed deals in H1 2020. Outside of London and the South East, the Midlands (340 deals), North West (269), and East of England (243) were the top three performing regions for deal volumes.

 
In terms of deal values, the South East (up 414.87%), North West (+127.26%), Wales (+25.43%), and East of England (+5.47) all witnessed year-on-year increases between H1 2019 and H1 2020.

This should offer some reassurance for company owners currently deliberating their future or considering exit strategies. The buyers are still here, we are still here, we are agreeing some great deals, and at great prices too.

The main problem facing the M&A market at the moment isn’t the logistical workarounds or challenges presented by the pandemic, it’s purely a lack of available companies for sale in the market. This should be music to the ears of any company owner as a lack of competition drives up the prices being offered and achieved.

In addition to the traditional trade sale route there are some great private equity opportunities available right now, with investors needing to spend raised capital. We have well-established connections for which ever option is of preference to you.

As we approach the Christmas period there will be reflection on a unique year and plans being drawn up for 2021.

If a company exit is on the cards for you, don’t leave those plans at home, alone. Now is a good time to be looking at an exit strategy and we are on hand to discuss the options that are available to you.