2008 Key Highlights

• The Online Industry’s most active buyer in 2008, based on the number (volume) of announced transactions, was IAC/ InterActiveCorp, with 11 businesses purchased either directly or through a partner or affiliate
• The segment with the largest transaction volume for 2008 was E-Content with 184 transactions.
• Financially sponsored transactions represented 70 transactions which equates to 11 percent of the total volume and $3.03 billion of the value or 11 percent of the market.

2008 vs. 2007 Key Trends

• Total transaction volume in 2008 decreased by 14 percent over 2007 from 738 in 2007 to 636 in 2008.
• Total transaction value in 2008 decreased by 62 percent over 2007, from $70.63 billion in 2007 to $26.98 billion in 2008.
• The segment with the largest increase in volume in 2008 over 2007 was SaaS/ASP with a 14 percent increase from 151 transactions in 2007 to 172 transactions in 2008.

2006-2008 Market Overview

Out of 2068 transactions tracked by Berkery, Noyes between 2006 and 2008 we determined the aggregate enterprise values paid for transactions, where the values of 695 were disclosed, to be $93.33 billion. Based on known enterprise values, using a logarithmic scale, we project values of 1373 undisclosed transactions to be $34.37 billion for a combined total of $127.70 billion over the past three years.

The largest transaction between 2006 and 2008 was Microsoft Business Solutions who acquired aQuantive, Inc. for $5.75 billion.

Based on value, the most active market segment between 2006 and 2008 was E-Marketing & Search with $32.49 billion worth of transactions as opposed to the least active segment being Communications with $15.92 billion worth of transactions.

The most active buyer in the Online Industry by way of value between 2006 and 2008 was Microsoft Corporation who purchased certain assets or all of 12 properties for a combined total of $7.89 billion in enterprise value paid.