Some interesting deal stats, compiled by BDO: 2,071 private company acquisitions were made in the UK in 2011, up 7% on 2010. 83% were trade deals, 17% private equity.
Price/earnings multiples paid by trade buyers for private companies averaged 10.6x, down from 11.7x. Private equity buyers paid 12.8x, up from 12.2x.
Source: Corporate Financier, March 2012