Berkery Noyes Research Shows 1st Half 2009 Information Merger & Acquisition Trends...

Berkery Noyes Research Shows 1st Half 2009 Information Merger & Acquisition
Trends - Bad News For News Media

NEW YORK, July 9 /PRNewswire/ -- M&A activity slowed significantly throughout
the Information Industry in the 1st Half of 2009, as the total number of
announced transactions fell by 29% and aggregate value dropped by 45%,
compared with the same period in 2008. These trends indicate that while desire
to do deals has been tempered, it does exist; but focus has shifted to
smaller, strategic transactions.

Although activity declined across the board, the hardest hit segment by far
was News Media. Transaction volume in that segment fell by 70% from 68 deals
in the 1st half of 2008 to 22 deals in the same period of 2009.

It should be noted that while enterprise value multiples appear to have
declined dramatically in the 1st Half of 2009, this is largely attributable to
sales of distressed properties taking an increased share of activity. Removing
this class of transactions from the picture reveals considerably improved
multiples, suggesting that sales of healthy companies continue to command
healthy multiples.

To read the free four page report Click Here
(http://berkerynoyes.com/visit/BNC1stHalf09Vertical.aspx)

Berkery Noyes provides skilled transaction management to publicly traded and
privately held businesses and private equity groups in both sell-side and
buy-side mergers and acquisitions. We have managed transactions ranging from
several million to more than four billion dollars in value, with an emphasis
on mid market transactions of $10 million to $500 million in enterprise value.

Our clients include private companies seeking a buyer, most of the major
international information companies, and private equity firms who use the
firm's expertise in locating, analyzing and negotiating with acquisition
candidates and in managing divestitures. The firm operates with a staff of
forty professionals serving the information industry.

For more information, visit www.berkerynoyes.com.

SOURCE Berkery Noyes

John Shea or James Berkery, Berkery Noyes +1-212-668-2022