
News and Insights on M&A for the Middle Market
The Biggest Mistakes Acquirers Make and How You Can Avoid Them
If you pursue acquisitions, there is a high chance of failure. That sound harsh, but about 70% of all mergers and acquisitions fail. Deals fall apart before the transaction closes, suffer integration issues post-closing, or simply do not yield the return on investment that was expected. Think about the disastrous "merger of equals" between AOL and Time Warner in 2001.

It's a Big Deal: M&A in the News
Amazon to buy Souq.com
Amazon will gain a foothold in the Middle East with the largest ecommerce site in the Arab world. Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates are growing markets with young, tech savvy populations.
Intel to buy Mobileye
The $15.3 billion purchase of the autonomous driving startup is biggest acquisition ever of an Israeli company. Moving into self-driving vehicles is part of Intel's strategy to build up its position in emerging areas of computing.
Conagra acquires Thanasi Foods
Conagra adds Duke's meat snacks and Bigs roasted seeds, two fast-growing, premium brands to its portfolio.

David Braun's Tip for Growth
Bigger is not always better
You do not have to "go big or go home" when it comes to M&A. Often a carefully planned and highly focused acquisition can be more powerful than a multibillion dollar deal.
Acquisition is not just about gaining scale in order to grow, but about helping your company become more focused and effective so that you can achieve your long-term goals. Thinking about strategy rather than size will help you execute the right deal for your company.

Upcoming in M&A Education
The latest events from M&A U™
The First Date: Contacting Owners and Successful First Meetings
Making first contact with an owner, especially of a "not-for-sale" company, is your opportunity to begin a positive relationship that may lead to a deal.
1 PM EST – April 20, 2017
CPE credit is available.
A New Look at Due Diligence
Due diligence is about more than just looking for red flags. Learn how to use due diligence to maximize the opportunity for success in your next acquisition.
1 PM EDT – May 18, 2017
CPE credit is available.
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