This report covers the time period of January 2008 through March 2008 (Q1). The report will be published on a quarterly basis.
Both deal volume and value in the transportation and logistics industry declined during the first quarter of 2008. The credit markets and slowing deal activity in the United States significantly affected deal volume in the first quarter of the year. When excluding deals in which a U.S. entity was the acquirer or target, the number of deals (38 deals) is on pace to exceed both 2006 and 2007 levels (119 and 142 deals respectively), indicating that a concern over an economic slowdown in the United States may be lowering the attractiveness of U.S. targets, as well as the willingness and ability of U.S. acquirers, to make deals. Additionally, deal value for non-U.S. acquirers and targets ($15.9 billion) is also on pace to exceed the $53.4 billion reached in 2007.
This report examines some of the global trends in the industry and provides charts and commentary that support our point of view on these trends. We have the flexibility to morph the document with each quarter and therefore welcome your comments on how to make it more distinctive.