Merger and acquisition deal activity in the U.S. decreased 5.7% in February (vs. January), but aggregate M&A spending shot up 45.8%, according to the latest data in the FactSet Mergerstat Monthly Review.

Over the three-month period from December 2014 to February 2015, the sectors with the largest increases in M&A deal activity (relative to the same three-month period one year ago) have been: technology services (501 vs. 403), finance (386 vs. 342), consumer services (250 vs. 218), nonenergy minerals (55 vs. 40), and retail trade (96 vs. 84). Of the 21 sectors tracked by Factset Mergerstat, 12 sectors posted relative gains in deal flow.

Free download: The FactSet Mergerstat Monthly Review is free to buyers of the 2015 Mergerstat Review, which is now available if you click here. A free download of selected data from the book is also available.