I’ve got back from my summer break to articles which have put a spring in my step.

According to a recent Global technology M&A study completed by Ernst & Young, UK has led tech M&As in Europe in Q2 ’10. Other than a lead in absolute numbers, the value of the transactions has also risen by 32% Y-o-Y with 7 buyouts over the $1B mark in Q2 compared to 2 in Q1.

Mobility was a key driver which impacted over 50 deals. This ranged from mobile marketing and advertising, mobile content to technology for mobile network operators. Healthcare and smart grid technology are also making their presence felt.

It came as a bit of a surprise that the value of corporate deals actually fell (-32%) as compared to Q2 2009  vis-a-vis PE transactions (+715%). The large corporate houses have been sitting on huge stockpiles of cash and we keep hearing of transactions be it from Google, or HP or Apple. However I guess there have been more behind the scene secondary transactions than I had accounted for.

What stood out for me was that more than half of the transactions in UK in Q2 ’10 involved an overseas buyer. This was up from a third in the previous quarter. That does signify both an overseas interest in the UK market as well as the confidence of local firms to pursue inorganic growth.

Any positive news from the UK is cause for celebration these days....

The source: http://www.ey.com/Publication/vwLUAssets/Global_technology_MA_update_-_2Q10_highlights/$FILE/Global_technology_MA_update_Report_30Jul10.pdf