BVWire doesn’t want to waste too much time on predicting what the markets will do, but we also want to highlight data from reputable sources that might affect BV practice management.  Merrill DataSite recently surveyed 119 firms about their likely targets, financing plans and what industries they believe will be affected. About half of the executives surveyed expect to make an acquisition or sale in the second half of 2010, and also expect large-cap deal flow to increase in 2011. “One factor driving the higher number of current and anticipated large-cap M&A activity is a sizeable cash build-up,” says Merrill president Ed Bifulk. “ Most executives agree that valuations, while still tricky to negotiate in a choppy market, have come down since the highs of the merger boom three years ago.” The sectors with the most expected M&A activity are Banking/Finance followed by Healthcare/Pharmaceuticals.

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