Philadelphia skyline and forest

M&A activity in Pennsylvania continues to bounce back

After a healthy rebound in 2020 and the first half of 2021, the Philadelphia and Central Pennsylvania region continued its upswing in the second half of 2021. This healthy market recovery is largely attributed to:

  • Performance surpassing the previous year’s benchmarks in closed transactions and deal volume
  • Shifting focus into the information technology sector

Surpassing benchmarks in H2 2021

The Philadelphia and Central Pennsylvania region continued to thrive in H2 2021, surpassing several significant performance indicators from the year prior. With 566 transactions closing in the market during the second half of 2021, up from 468 closed transactions in the first half of the year, the region is benefitting from a greatly anticipated market resurgence. Further indications of a recovery: The market witnessed a staggering 35.1% increase in closed transactions from the 419 closed transactions in H2 2020.

Notably, the M&A activity in the Philadelphia and Central Pennsylvania region also maintained its steady rise in deal volumes from the first half of the year into its third and fourth quarters. As M&A markets continued to open up and debt financing remained readily available at historically low rates, the region mirrored the trajectory of the U.S.’s overall M&A markets.

With new benchmarks being achieved in back-to-back years, only time will tell if this market activity will continue into 2022 and beyond.

Philadelphia & Central Pennsylvania regional market M&A activity

Philadelphia & Central Pennsylvania regional market M&A activity in H2 2021

Source: S&P Capital IQ; (December 2021)

Focus on information technology

The Philadelphia and Central Pennsylvania region’s M&A activity had a newfound concentration in information technology in H2 2021 with 21.2% of deals in that sector, a change from the consumer sector focus which led in the first half of 2021.

The largest acquisition in the second half of 2021 was Thoma Bravo’s acquisition of Proofpoint Inc. for $12.3 million, which contributed to a portion of the significant M&A activity in the information technology sector.

Focus on information technology

Source: S&P Capital IQ; (December 2021)

Dig into our report

For an in-depth look at M&A activity in the Philadelphia and Central Pennsylvania region, download a free copy of the Pennsylvania regional M&A update (Central PA and Philadelphia) H2 2021. The report includes:

  • Regional market activity
  • M&A activity by market segment
  • Transaction data for middle market M&A activity
  • Buyers and targets by location
  • Notable transactions closed during H2
Team working on report
Mergers and acquisitions reports

See more M&A reports

Baker Tilly Capital professionals develop mergers and acquisitions (M&A) updates in different industries and regions. These reports provide an overview of M&A activity, including:

  • M&A activity by market segment
  • Transaction data for middle market M&A activity
  • Buyers and targets by location
  • Notable transactions closed during the period of the report
Field services software
Next up

Field services software: fueling growth with accounting