MERGERS AND ACQUISITIONS AMONG A/E FIRMS DOWN IN 2103

摘要

A report from consultant Morrissey Goodale indicates that merger and acquisition activity among architecture and engineering firms was down in 2013 compared with 2012. A record 180 sales of U.S.-based A/E firms were logged in 2012, but only 168 domestic transactions occurred last year, a reduction of 7%. International transactions were down even more sharply, with 135 deals recorded in 2012 and just 107 in 2013. The consultant speculates that owners preferred to ride the wave of an improving economy last year, becoming less eager to jump at offers because the value of their firms was increasing. Those who still desire to sell may have opted to wait a bit longer, hoping for higher valuations as the business outlook brightens.