Compass Report--The State of M&A

The year 2000 will see even fewer deals. We predict there will be a range of 85 to 100 printing companies acquired during 2000.

There will be more mega-deals, with undervalued big companies selling to bigger companies. About four to six of these transactions will be mega-deals, with large companies acquiring other large companies. Already this year, Mail-Well (NYSE), annualizing around $2.5 billion, has announced a $334 million tender offer for American Business Products (NYSE), with 1999 sales of nearly $500 million.