New York, July 7, 2009 – In line with broad based M&A trends, deal activity in the Software Industry contracted in the 1st Half of 2009 from levels in the same period of last year. However, the rate of contraction has not been nearly as dramatic as in other Information Industry segments. Total transaction volume in the 1st Half of 2009 decreased by a modest 10% over the 1st Half of 2008, from 374 to 336 deals. Total transaction value in the 1st Half of 2009 decreased by 28% over the 1st Half of 2008, from $24.46 billion to $17.78 billion.

Financial buyers were sidelined during the 1st Half 2009, with the majority of transactions – 95% by volume and 85% by value – being strategically motivated. This ratio is consistent with trends shown in the 1st Half of 2008. On a more positive note, there are subtle signs that private equity and other financial buyers may be getting back in the game. The proportion of financially motivated transactions increased during the 1st Half, to 51 deals from the 49 announced during the 1st Half of 2008.

Last October, Oracle’s Larry Ellison stated “If times are tough, there are other opportunities… including making acquisitions that cost less." Remaining committed to that strategy, Oracle lead software M&A activity in the 1st Half of 2009 with the largest number of announced deals: 5, and the largest single transaction: the $5.64 billion pending acquisition of Sun Microsystems.

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Berkery Noyes provides skilled transaction management to publicly traded and privately held businesses and private equity groups in both sell-side and buy-side mergers and acquisitions. We have managed transactions ranging from several million to more than four billion dollars in value, with an emphasis on mid market transactions of $10 million to $500 million in enterprise value.

Our clients include private companies seeking a buyer, most of the major international information companies, and private equity firms who use the firm’s expertise in locating, analyzing and negotiating with acquisition candidates and in managing divestitures. The firm operates with a staff of forty professionals serving the information industry.

For more information, visit www.berkerynoyes.com or call John Shea or James Berkery at (212) 668-2022.