Recession pressures, more cash on hand and a quest for new markets quickly kicked mergers and acquisitions out of the gate in 2010. More reasonable corporate valuations will fuel activity, say M&A watchers, but the economic climate could still hinder deal-making.
“This year is off to a strong start with notable deals in the energy, health-care, security and infrastructure sectors,” says M&A consulting firm Morrissey Goodale, noting 10 deals announced in the first two weeks of January. His firm tracked 230 deals in 2009, he says, slightly off the 300 recorded the previous year.