2017 has already seen heightened acquisition activity involving UK companies and it appears to be showing no signs of slowing down.
Multi-million-pound deals featuring the likes of Busy Bees Nurseries Ltd, Exova Group Plc and Karro Food Group Plc suggest there’s still an appetite for acquisitions – despite the economic uncertainty surrounding the UK economy over the last 12 months
2017 UK Acquisition Activity
Figures produced by the Office Of National Statistics reveals that 369 deals involving UK companies have taken place in the first two quarters of the year.
Interestingly, the value of successful mergers and acquisitions in the second quarter of the year were notably higher than the first three months of 2017.
Coinciding with this, new research from Plimsoll has detailed that companies in five of the most acquisitive sectors in the UK are increasing in value – suggesting that this period of consolidation is set to continue.
The table below highlights the number of acquisitions per sector in the last 12 months as well as the number of companies increasing in value. What’s more, well over half of the companies in these industries are privately owned which could appeal to prospective investors.
To discover the acquisition opportunities within each of these industries, Plimsoll produces financial market reports on over 1600 UK sectors – more information can be found by clicking here.
The UK’s most acquisitive sectors
|
Industry |
Deals over the 12 months |
Companies increasing in value |
% Companies increasing in value |
Privately owned companies |
|
Software Development |
30 |
843 |
42 |
58% |
|
Veterinary Surgeons |
26 |
425 |
40 |
87% |
|
IT Consultants |
22 |
461 |
42 |
65% |
|
Telecommunication Services |
21 |
591 |
43 |
64% |
|
IT Support |
15 |
664 |
42 |
70% |
With company values beginning to soar, directors and business owners can get an independent and confidential third-party valuation by visiting – www.valueyourcompany.com
Published on: 6/11/2017