An aging population, especially in developed economies, coupled with an increasing prevalence of chronic diseases and advances in medical technology should all underpin strong growth in the healthcare sector in the near term. Meanwhile, austerity measures are forcing providers to find more innovative ways to offer high-quality, low-cost healthcare.

A recent report by M&A International Inc., the worlds largest independent M&A alliance, examines the key mergers and acquisitions (M&A) growth factors in the hospitals and clinics sector.

Four primary factors are believed to underpin a strong outlook for M&A in the hospitals and clinics sector in 2012. Firstly, regulatory reform will continue to be a key catalyst driving consolidation, e.g. hospitals in the US seeking economies of scale to offset reimbursement cuts and hospitals and clinics in the UK seeking to position themselves to take advantage of increased outsourcing at the National Health Service (NHS).

Changing patient profile

Secondly, hospitals will aim to better cater to the changing profile of their patients who are increasingly older or suffering from lifestyle diseases. Thirdly, hospitals that are under financial strain or unable to comply with more stringent regulatory requirements will likely be sold.

Finally, there is a renewed focus on medical real estate. Ailing hospitals serving large communities are likely to be prime targets and Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) will become increasingly interested in acquiring nursing homes and hospitals by taking advantage of the sale-leaseback model.

M&A International Inc., with its extensive experience in the healthcare sector, can help investors on how to make the most of the current trends covered in this report.

Download the full report (PDF, 1.3MB).

About M&A International Inc

M&A International Inc offers the unparalleled resources of 46 independently-owned merger and acquisition specialists and investment banking firms in 41 countries in the Americas, Europe and the Asia-Pacific region.

Member firms work seamlessly with clients to originate and execute domestic and cross-border M&A deals in the mid-market sector.

M&A International Inc.s members have extensive expertise, industry relationships and experience in successfully consummating complex transactions on behalf of global clients in the automotive sector.

For further information, please visit www.mergers.net

About IBI Corporate Finance

IBI Corporate Finance is Ireland’s leading corporate finance adviser, providing expert, independent advice. It acts for public, private and semi-state companies covering a wide spectrum of domestic and international transactions.

IBI Corporate Finance is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Bank of Ireland Group and is the Irish member of M&A International Inc. IBI Corporate Finance Limited is regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland.

In spite of the current bleak economic environment, global automotive mergers and acquisitions (M&A) activity remained resilient during 2011, mainly driven by the need for increased integration and technological synergies, as well as inorganic geographical expansion to improve companies positioning in key markets.

A recent report by M&A International Inc., the worlds largest independent M&A alliance, examines the key trends in the automotive sector:

• Targeting of strategic acquisitions in the seating and interior and electrical and electronic equipment segments
• Gain in popularity of smart and environmentally-friendly cars leading to increased interest in smart ignitions, steering and handling systems, advanced safety features, efficient lighting and light vehicle technologies
• Financial buyers currently dormant due to tight credit market and impracticality of raising large-scale finance

M&A drivers

Additional drivers that are likely to underpin M&A include government legislation to create safer, cleaner transport; original equipment manufacturers attempts to meet changing market requirements and the industrys need to advance technology. The easiest solution for many companies is to buy this new technology.

Cash-rich strategic buyers are also likely to act swiftly to exploit opportunities to inorganically increase their market share in high-growth markets. Heightened M&A activity is forecast in China, India, Eastern Europe and Russia in 2012, partly due to continued overcapacity in these countries, which is encouraging further industry consolidation to correct supply-demand imbalances.

Download the full report (PDF, 2.4MB).

About M&A International Inc

M&A International Inc offers the unparalleled resources of 46 independently-owned merger and acquisition specialists and investment banking firms in 41 countries in the Americas, Europe and the Asia-Pacific region.

Member firms work seamlessly with clients to originate and execute domestic and cross-border M&A deals in the mid-market sector.

M&A International Inc.s members have extensive expertise, industry relationships and experience in successfully consummating complex transactions on behalf of global clients in the automotive sector.

For further information, please visit www.mergers.net

About IBI Corporate Finance

IBI Corporate Finance is Ireland’s leading corporate finance adviser, providing expert, independent advice. It acts for public, private and semi-state companies covering a wide spectrum of domestic and international transactions.

IBI Corporate Finance is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Bank of Ireland Group and is the Irish member of M&A International Inc. IBI Corporate Finance Limited is regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland.

IBI Corporate Finance has consistently been the No. 1 financial adviser in the Irish mergers and acquisitions (M&A) market over the last decade, according to the latest up-to-date figures from global M&A analyst, mergermarket.

IBI has advised on more announced M&A deals valued in excess of €5m in the Republic of Ireland than any other corporate finance firm between 2002 and 2011 with 114 deals.

Download the league table (MS PowerPoint, 388KB).

Looking in particular at sell-side deals over the same period, IBI is also well ahead of the competition in the Republic of Ireland in terms of number of announced deals (valued at €5m plus) over the last decade with 83 successful sale mandates, more than twice the volume of completed disposals advised on by its nearest rival.

Download the league table (MS Powerpoint, 391KB).

IBI Corporate Finance has been ranked as the No. 1 financial adviser in Ireland in the annual review of international mergers and acquisitions activity by specialist M&A publisher, Mergermarket. This is the seventh successive year that IBI has been ranked No. 1.

IBI topped the league table for the number of transactions on which it advised with a total of 14 qualifying deals with a cumulative deal value of US$3.5bn in 2011. The company was also ranked top in 2010, 2009, 2008, 2007, 2006 and 2005.

Innovative advice

Commenting on the announcement, Tom Godfrey, IBI Chief Executive, said: "We are delighted that IBIs track record of providing innovative corporate finance advice has been acknowledged independently. Mergermarkets analysis shows that IBI consistently advises on more announced deals in Ireland than any other financial adviser.

Cross-border deals involving buyers and targets from the UK, US, Belgium, Netherlands, Canada and Bulgaria accounted for 64% of IBIs total in the last year, reflecting the open nature of the Irish economy and the strength of IBIs international reach.

While market conditions remain extremely difficult, we envisage that 2012 will bring further complex and strategically significant transactions for our clients."

About Mergermarket

Mergermarket covers corporate finance activity in Europe, North America, Latin America and the Asia-Pacific region. Mergermarket generates proprietary intelligence and delivers it, together with daily aggregated content, on its www.mergermarket.com platform.

About IBI Corporate Finance

IBI Corporate Finance is Irelands leading corporate finance adviser, providing expert, independent advice. It acts for public, private and semi-state companies covering a wide spectrum of domestic and international transactions.

IBI Corporate Finance is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Bank of Ireland Group and is the Irish member of M&A International Inc.

IBI Corporate Finance Limited is regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland.