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Big boost for company valuations

Valuations of both public and private companies shot up in the course of last year, according to research from BDO.

Government propping up regional venture capital

Venture capital (VC) investing outside London and the South East depends heavily on public sector funds, according to a study.

Investor confidence improves

A majority of active investors plan to increase their exposure to the stock market over the coming months, according to research.

Institutions hold on to AIM stakes

Investment houses such as BlackRock, Invesco and Prudential collectively hold a larger share of AIM than they did before the financial crisis.

Analytics is top priority for CIOs

Making better use of data in business decision making is the top priority for chief information officers (CIOs), according to a global survey from IBM.

Company valuations picking up

The price paid for companies as a multiple of earnings increased slightly in the last quarter, according to an index of merger and acquisition activity.

Credit crunch catches up with mid-market M&A

The number of mergers and acquisitions in the UK mid-market has dropped to the lowest level since 1995, according to business advisory firm Grant Thornton.

Venture capital trumps private equity in downturn

Financing for growing businesses is proving more resilient in recession than private equity activity, according to research.

No green shoots in buy-out market

The UK buy-out market stayed close to last year’s lows in the first quarter of 2009, with £2.0 billion invested in 86 buy-outs.

US venture capital investment sags

Data from the US shows an accelerated decline in the value of equity investment into venture capital (VC)-backed companies.

UK leads Europe M&A as market shrinks

The value of mergers and acquisitions (M&A) in the European Union dropped sharply in April, but the UK is leading the way by number of deals.

Family businesses well placed for downturn

The traits which help companies survive recession are commonly found in family businesses, according to a study from Barclays Wealth and the Economist.

UK M&A hit hard

Deal volumes and values of mergers and acquisitions (M&A) in the UK declined faster than those in the US and worldwide last year, according to research.

AIM suffers fundraising freeze

The Alternative Investment Market (AIM) endured the toughest fundraising climate in its history in 2008, with just 40 new issues raising money.

Institutions stick with AIM

Institutional investors hold a larger share in AIM than they did a year ago, despite rapidly falling valuations.

Northern companies fare better

The economic downturn is affecting 58 per cent of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the UK, according to research from payment scheme Bacs. However, businesses in the North are faring better, or just more bullish, with 45 per cent saying the downturn has had no effect on their business compared with 36 per cent in the South.

Decline in Northwest buy-outs

The value of buy-outs in the Northwest during the second quarter fell to its lowest level since 2005, according to private equity observer the Centre for Management Buyout Research.

Cash shells’ resources multiply

The amount of money in AIM- and PLUS-listed cash shells has increased 42 per cent on a year ago. The shells, which can offer companies a quick route to a public quote through a reverse takeover, had resources of £113.4 million at the end of June, according to research from growth company magazine Business XL.

UK hindering entrepreneurial success

Conditions are tough for growing businesses in the UK, according to a survey from specialist insurer Hiscox. The tax system, government bureaucracy, a lack of financing and even the country’s culture are all hindering the success of entrepreneurial companies, according to a majority of respondents.

Late payment putting companies at risk

Growing businesses are being edged closer to bankruptcy by late payers, according to a GrowthBusiness poll. Three-quarters of the respondents say late payment by their customers is a problem, with 45 per cent calling it a threat to their business.

Meeting menaces: The Waffler

More tips from John Cleese, who reveals how to stop a waffler in full flow.

Reducing energy usage

Ian Cheshire, chairman of B&Q, explains how the store has saved 10,000 tonnes of carbon emissions.

Meeting menaces: The Interruptor

John Cleese reveals how to deal with serial interruptors without giving in or getting into a fight.