September, 2015
U.S. transportation & logistics M&A continues to see strong activity. Year-to-date 2015 transaction volume of 93 deals is on pace to surpass 2014 deal volume of 99 transactions.
For the year-to-date 2015 period, strategic buyers accounted for 87% of the transportation & logistics M&A transactions with financial buyers making up the difference. During 2014, strategic buyers accounted for approximately 81% of the transactions.
Asset-light transport and logistics companies are trading at premium valuations compared to the S&P 500.
Many larger, publicly traded transportation and logistics companies have been very active in pursuing acquisitions.
Notable publicly announced 2015 transactions:
– XPO Logistics entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Con-way for approximately $3.5 billion.
– United Parcel Service acquired Coyote Logistics for approximately $1.8 billion.
– Apax Partners acquired Quality Distribution for approximately $780 million.
– Echo Global Logistics acquired Command Transportation for approximately $410 million.