IMAP Provides Insight Into Global M&A Transaction Activity for the First Half of 2009

SARASOTA, FL--(Marketwire - August 3, 2009) - IMAP, an exclusive global organization of leading merger and acquisition (M&A) advisory firms, announced today that buyer interest increased significantly worldwide in the areas of health care and manufacturing in the second quarter versus first quarter of 2009. IMAP also reported that the manufacturing, services, distribution, and information technology categories experienced the most sell-side activity for the same period. IMAP's market perspective is a result of internal information gathered for active M&A projects from IMAP's more than 500 advisers in nearly 40 countries throughout the world.

"We are starting to see a gradual increase in buyer interest in our local market," said Andy Moore, partner at IMAP's United Kingdom office, Clearwater Corporate Finance. "Our project backlog for sell-side assignments remains strong, and as buyer confidence recovers, we anticipate more deal activity for the remainder of 2009."

"The last nine months have been challenging, with the most recent quarter seeming to represent a crest for difficulty in completing M&A transactions," added Scott Eisenberg, managing director of IMAP's Detroit office, Amherst Partners. "Hesitant sellers and reluctant lenders combined to slow closings last quarter. However, the increase in buyer interest and elevated level of transaction activity at IMAP's offices provide an indicator that the market may be on a path to recovery."

"While M&A activity certainly dipped during the first half of 2009, we are experiencing a step up in project activity over the last 30 days," said Dimitri Abudi, managing partner of IMAP's Brazil office, IGC Partners. "Brazil was better positioned than many countries to deal with the economic downturn, which may be one of the reasons we could see a more rapid recovery."

To gain insight into global M&A activity across a variety of industries and geographic regions, senior-level delegates representing law firms, private equity groups, corporate and M&A transaction advisers, as well as members of the media can attend IMAP's next Global M&A Symposium in Istanbul, Turkey. The symposium offers attendees the opportunity to build valuable contacts in an effort to develop strategies to complete more M&A transactions. The Çiragan Palace Kempinski Istanbul Hotel will host IMAP's Symposium on Friday, October 23, 2009.

About IMAP

IMAP is an exclusive global organization of leading merger and acquisition advisory firms. Formed in 1973, IMAP is composed of 55 offices in nearly 40 countries throughout North and South America, Eastern and Western Europe, Australia and Asia. In 2008, IMAP advisers completed 252 transactions, with an aggregate transaction value of more than $13 billion. IMAP advisers provide strategic merger, acquisition, divestiture and related corporate finance services. Sellers of mid-size companies and corporate acquirers alike rely upon IMAP for essential local market knowledge and industry expertise delivered with unparalleled global reach. Every business day, somewhere in the world, an IMAP adviser is completing an M&A transaction. More information is available via the Internet at www.imap.com.

Contact Information: Media Contacts: Sara DeNio (312) 780-7223 sdenio@dresnerco.com Jennifer Jameson (312) 780-7241 jjameson@dresnerco.com