Aug 18, 2016
In the News, Market Update, Newsletter, Press Release, Uncategorized 0 Comments
Successful businesses don’t just happen. And, in spite of protestations to the contrary, they don’t owe their success to luck; businesses thrive as a result of strong leadership.
Jul 14, 2016
Fintech, In the News, International, Market Update, Newsletter, Report 0 Comments
The report that follows HERE is our latest update on m&a values and trends in the dozen+ sectors of the information technology industry that we follow and sometimes lead. It’s too soon to tell how the consternation in the political world will affect this industry. High levels of liquidity and low interest rates help a lot, but uncertainty doesn’t. And while our sector remains fairly hot – see the report – overall m&a volume and value was clearly down in the first half of 2016 compared to the second half of 2015. Last year, m&a was torrid – with 39 mega deals valued at $10bn or more in the second half alone. So it’s not shocking to see overall m&a values and volume fall off a bit. Political consternation is a concern, however.
Jun 14, 2016
In the News, Valuation 0 Comments
On Sunday, Symantec (NASDAQ:SYMC) announced the acquisition of Blue Coat Systems, a leading provider of cloud security technologies, for $4.65bn. It is Symantec’s largest deal in a decade. For Bain Capital, the private equity firm that controls Blue Coat, it is a very impressive tech exit with the firm earning 3x its investment in less than 18 months.
Jun 14, 2016
In the News, Trends 0 Comments
The “electronification” of securities trading in the U.S. has been underway for more than two decades as global securities markets have moved away from open outcry and phone/voice trading and towards faster and more efficient electronic alternatives. Nasdaq launched its earliest version of an electronic bulletin board in 1971 and CME group launched its electronic platform in 1992. Old news. What is interesting is that – despite the misgivings of some the electronification of trading is continuing its upward march. In fact in some markets it has reached 90% and more of trading volume, as evidenced in the chart below from the Bank for International Settlements (BIS). Furthermore, it’s coming to markets that have traditionally resisted it.
Apr 14, 2016
In the News 0 Comments
Last Wednesday the US Department of Labor (DOL) released a several hundred page ruling that essentially requires investment advisors who advise people on investments for their retirement accounts (IRAs, 401(k) plans, etc.) act in the client’s best interest – or at least to disclose potential conflicts. (You wouldn’t think it would take them hundreds of pages.) The DOL has been working on this since 2010. They did so under their authority for enforcing the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) of 1974, although some believe they have overstepped their bounds and encroached on the SEC’s turf. Nevertheless, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has approved the rule and President Obama endorsed it.