In recent years past, global technology M&A experienced slow
first quarters. But not this year – the first quarter of 2015
set new post-dotcom-bubble records for quarterly value and volume
according to EY's report on Global technology M&A.
Overall, there were 981 technology deals with an aggregate value of
US $77.1 billion – a higher value than any quarter since
Y2K.
The driving force behind the technology M&A boom
A main contributor to the "Year of Technology M&A"
is the fact that corporate technology buyers are
back in business after taking break during the fourth quarter of
2014. This contributed to 15 deals above the $1 billion mark.
There was also significant cross-border
activity. Cross-border technology deals had a $32.2
billion aggregate value, with seven deals over $1 billion and one
deal over $10 billion. US and Europe were net sellers, while Japan
and Canada were net buyers.
