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Are There Opportunities For Strategic Buyers? M&A Activity In The 2008 Downturn And Trends In 2009, Carol M. Sanchez, Anastasia Nowak, Stephen R. Goldberg

Peer Reviewed Articles

Global M&A activity declined since the world economic downturn hit in late 2008. Middle-market global M&As were down 26% from 2008, while middle-market domestic deals were down 18%. European M&As fared less well, down 45%, and even Asian deals were down 35% compared to 2008.1 The reasons for the downturn are obvious: both buyers and sellers felt uncertain about the market. Buyers were, and are still, unwilling and often unable to spend, and potential sellers of companies were and are trying to hold on to their companies, fearful of selling at too large a discount.