“Private equity is raising expectations for all mergers,” said Punit Renjen, leader of Deloitte Consulting’s merger-integration practice, in a recent interview with CFO magazine. Indeed, private equity accounted for more than a quarter of total proposed deal values in 2006, and an operating style that offers “zero tolerance for nonperformers” – to use Renjen’s words – undoubtedly influenced many more.
Yet strategic deals are still going strong, and CFO.com readers avidly followed the continuing developments regarding conflicted “fairness” opinions, analyzing (and safeguarding) sensitive data, the use of strategic alliances, and acquisitions in the United States by foreign companies. Below is our editors’ selection of the most popular articles.
To see all of our deals coverage, check out the deals section of our archive.
• What Lies Beneath
Private-equity firms know how to make companies look good. But this buyer knows how to look more closely.
• Can You Keep a Secret?
M&A can become a cat-and-mouse game as companies attempt to analyze (or safeguard) sensitive data.
• Rising Stakes
How the strength of private equity is changing M&A for corporate buyers.
• Mergers for Small Companies on the Rise
Industrial sector breaks out of 19-year lull.
• Try Before You Buy
Companies are using alliances to take the risk out of acquisitions.
• The End of the Merger Curse
More M&A deals are financially successful, according to new research. Is it a trend or coincidence?
• All’s Fair in M&A?
Judges and regulators are taking aim at conflicted “fairness” opinions.
• Cash Stockpiles Will Fuel Mergers: PwC
With banks more willing to lend money—and with corporate piggy banks filled to record levels—companies will speed up acquisitions in the next year to pursue growth, according to a forecast by the Big Four firm.
• Merge Right
Numbers don’t drive deals. People do.
• America for Sale
Foreign firms are buying U.S. companies at the fastest clip in five years, creating concerns on Capitol Hill.