2017 has been an exciting year. From regulatory changes to tax reform, to the economy, navigating the business environemnt has been filled with ups and downs. Despite this, 2017 was a strong year for M&A activity, especially in the middle market. In light of the volatility, companies turned to smaller deals rather than larger transactions in order to grow.
There were still a number of mega deals that created ripples in the market and consolidation across multiple industries including healthcare, grocery, media, and credit unions. Notable deals included Amazon’s acquisition of Whole Foods for $13.7 billion, the AT&T – Time Warner merger, and Disney’s purchase of Fox film for $52 billion.
We covered many of these exciting trends on the Successful Acquisitions Blog. Here’s a look at the top posts for the year.
- How Long Does an Acquisition Take?
- The Key to Successful First Meetings: Putting an Owner at Ease
- Ikea Buys Freelance Platform TaskRabbit so You’ll Never Have to Assemble Their Furniture Again
- M&A Update: 1H 2017 [Infographic]
- Nestlé Bets on Fast Growing Markets with Sweet Earth and Blue Bottle Coffee Deals
- Why You Shouldn’t Negotiate for a Win-Win in Acquisitions
- What Happens After You Sign a Letter of Intent?
- Two Key Points for Strategic Buyers from 3M’s Latest Acquisition
- What Role Do Lawyers Play in Mergers and Acquisitions?
- M&A Update: 3Q 2017 – Middle Market Activity on the Rise
With these industry dynamics in play at the close of 2017, 2018 is shaping up to be an exciting year.