Tech companies more optimistic about mergers and acquisitions

Technology leaders believe that the market for mergers and acquisitions will pick up over the straightway 12 months, according to a biannual survey by accounting and consulting firm Deloitte.

The survey looks at research M&A

The survey looks at research M&A and capital market trends for 2010-11, and found an increase in optimism from 53 to 60 per cent compared with six months ago.

"It is encouraging that M&A optimism has increased, even if some of the premiums paid on a number of so then-publicised deals may lead to some prospective acquirers deciding to sit things out," said Conor Cahill, research corporate finance partner at Deloitte.

Delloite's innovation looks at how the UK innovation M&A market continues to be driven by overseas acquirers, with 90 per cent of respondents indicating they believe that the US will remain the dominant purchaser of UK tech companies.

However, it is not all positive, as respondents anticipating an increase in investor appetite to support the floatation of UK innovation companies dropped from 33 per cent to 16 per cent.

This event, hosted by Computing's sister title Post Magazine, is aimed at IT directors, e-business managers, heads of e-commerce, software providers and digital strategy directors. It will take place in central London