Financing conditions change within the financial markets on an ongoing basis.

Weissknight offers a high level access to many of the London and European leading sources of capital.
In addition, our international network allows us to be fully informed about pricing, trends, market conditions and new entrants.

We have the knowledge, the experience and the relationships necessary to access private capital for venture, expansion, recapitalisation, shareholder liquidity events, leveraged buyouts, acquisitions and debt refinancing.
These relationships include venture capital and private equity funds, some institutional and strategic investors based in London, in Europe and in the USA.
We can handle every facet of your next private placement process to gain maximum flexibility, increase the speed of this process, as well as your chances of success.

Private Equity funds and VCs are currently sitting on more than € 400 billion of "equity capital", committed investments that have to be invested soon. PEs and VCs need to invest whether the economy is certain or uncertain. The deal-flow in the middle market investment banking arena is currently robust. Capital is available and some say abundant, but the providers are picky and discriminating. By focusing on "middle-market" companies with strong financials, management teams and growth strategies, PEs and VCs find the flexibility they need in terms of deal size and structure.
Deals are happening in Europe and in the USA almost every week.


If you are considering a cross-border private placement process, now may be just the perfect time to explore if your company is ready to move things forward on a larger scale. If you’re a company CEO, an international Corporate Finance Advisor like Weissknight Corporate Finance will help you avoid surprises, organise the private auction necessary for a successful move, and be better prepared to answer their demands.

For more information on our private placement services, please contact us.

Detailed case studies of our work and a full list of our completed transactions in 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012 are available upon request, and would be discussed on a case by case basis.

The Utility & Energy sector is a tumultuous place to invest. Several very unusual factors, as well as discouraging trends in commodity prices, point to the uncertainty within this sector. It is therefore complex and rapidly changing, as companies pursue new models of value creation. Three major trends are currently influencing significantly this industry on a local and global basis:

1. Regulatory changes in the wholesale energy market: generation and transmission
2. Regulatory changes in the retail energy market: distribution and marketing
3. Industry restructuring, disintermediation and M&A

Main sectors covered include:

• Electricity, gas and water utilities
• Oil & Gas: drilling, operations, equipment & services
• Solar
• Biofuel
• Wind
• Other clean technologies
• Energy storage
• Waste management

Stock market performances and M&A trends in the Utilities sector (2009)
Stock market performances and M&A trends in the Utilities sector (2010)
Stock market performances and M&A trends in the Utilities sector (2011)
Stock market performances and M&A trends in the Utilities sector (2012)

The TMT industry has experienced huge growth that has been driven by new and emerging technologies.
The global R&D spending is expected to top € 1.5 trillion in 2011. In terms of financing, more than € 30 billion have been invested by VCs investors, among which € 12 billion have been invested in Europe last year.

The magnitude and accelerated rates of change have provided an abundance of opportunities for many companies.
However, due to the current volatility and risks, companies must be alert to short-term conditions and challenges that could severely impact their businesses. Access to capital, faster time-to-market, and finding the right financial investor is more critical than ever.

At Weissknight Corporate Finance, we cover most sectors in this area:''

• Communications equipment
• Storage & Computing systems
• Electronics & Applied technologies
• Software & Hardware
• Media
• Telecommunications equipments & Services
• Internet & Ecommerce
• Technology services

Stock market performances and M&A trends in the TMT sector (2009)
Stock market performances and M&A trends in the TMT sector (2010)
Stock market performances and M&A trends in the TMT sector (2011)
Stock market performances and M&A trends in the TMT sector (2012)

Automotive companies are under pressure from the USA to Europe, as well as in Asia.

• This year may well turn out to be tough, but it is not all bad so far.
• There is restructuration going on at corporate and industry levels.
• And we may also see earlier results from these changes translated into higher profits than forecasted.

Consolidation, restructuring and new technologies will create significant business changes throughout the automotive value chain.

Sectors covered include:

• Cars, trucks and other vehicles
• Tires
• Automotive parts and components
• Aftermarket products

Transportation & Logistics is a wide sector, which includes all types of transportation of goods and people.
Due to advancing globalisation, declining trade barriers and an increasingly mobile workforce, the transport & logistics industry continues to enjoy a growth above average. International growth through M&A, JVs or alliances is also crucial.

Main sectors covered include:

• Airlines
• Air delivery and freight services
• Airports and railroads
• Shipping and trucking

Stock market performances and M&A trends in the Automotive sector (2009)
Stock market performances and M&A trends in the Automotive sector (2010)
Stock market performances and M&A trends in the Automotive sector (2011)
Stock market performances and M&A trends in the Automotive sector (2012)

The financial crisis started in the middle of 2007, and has had some interesting impacts on valuation metrics and trends.
Looking at the various TMT companies listed in Europe on the main stock exchanges, the valuation metrics within this sector have changed significantly during that period; however in 2012 the valuation metrics have stabilised:

a) Looking at the overall sector between 2007 and 2008:
o Sales multiples (FY n+1) have decreased in average by 18.0%.
o EBITDA multiples (FY n+1) have decreased in average by 16.8%.
o EBIT multiples (FY n+1) have decreased in average by 15.5%.

b) Looking at the overall sector between 2008 and 2009:
o Sales multiples (FY n+1) have decreased in average by 17.7%.
o EBITDA multiples (FY n+1) have decreased in average by 15.5%.
o EBIT multiples (FY n+1) have decreased in average by 6.8%.

c) Looking at the overall sector between 2009 and 2010:
o Sales multiples (FY n+1) have increased in average by 9.6%.
o EBITDA multiples (FY n+1) have decreased in average by 3.1%.
o EBIT multiples (FY n+1) have increased in average by 8.1%.

d) Looking at the overall sector between 2010 and 2011:
o Sales multiples (FY n+1) have decreased in average by 23.5%.
o EBITDA multiples (FY n+1) have decreased in average by 13.8%.
o EBIT multiples (FY n+1) have decreased in average by 27.1%.



For more updates, please contact directly Weissknight.



Looking at the number of main corporate finance transactions involving a European TMT company, the trend is as follow:
a) Number of deals between 2010 and 2011: -3.2%.
b) Number of deals between 2009 and 2010: +27.5%.
c) Number of deals between 2008 and 2009: -34.2%.
d) Number of deals between 2007 and 2008: -10.6%.
e) Number of deals between 2006 and 2007: +14.6%.
f) Number of deals between 2005 and 2006: -5.2%.

The financial crisis started in the middle of 2007, and has had some interesting impacts on valuation metrics and trends.
Looking at the various industrial companies listed in Europe on the main stock exchanges, the valuation metrics within this sector have changed significantly; however in 2012 the valuation metrics have stabilised:

a) Looking at the overall sector between 2007 and 2008:
o Sales multiples (FY n+1) have decreased in average by 20.9%.
o EBITDA multiples (FY n+1) have decreased in average by 23.1%.
o EBIT multiples (FY n+1) have decreased in average by 21.1%.

b) Looking at the overall sector between 2008 and 2009:
o Sales multiples (FY n+1) have increased in average by 3.5%.
o EBITDA multiples (FY n+1) have increased in average by 6.2%.
o EBIT multiples (FY n+1) have increased in average by 24.7%.

c) Looking at the overall sector between 2009 and 2010:
o Sales multiples (FY n+1) have decreased in average by 2.1%.
o EBITDA multiples (FY n+1) have decreased in average by 0.3%.
o EBIT multiples (FY n+1) have increased in average by 7.6%.

d) Looking at the overall sector between 2010 and 2011:
o Sales multiples (FY n+1) have decreased in average by 10.0%.
o EBITDA multiples (FY n+1) have decreased in average by 19.5%.
o EBIT multiples (FY n+1) have decreased in average by 30.3%.



For more updates, please contact directly Weissknight.



Looking at the number of main corporate finance transactions involving a European industrial company, the trend is as follow:
a) Number of deals between 2010 and 2011: +3.6%.
b) Number of deals between 2009 and 2010: +14.0%.
c) Number of deals between 2008 and 2009: -48.5%.
d) Number of deals between 2007 and 2008: -4.4%.
e) Number of deals between 2006 and 2007: +16.6%.
f) Number of deals between 2005 and 2006: +4.6%.

The financial crisis started in the middle of 2007, and has had some interesting impacts on valuation metrics and trends.
Looking at the various healthcare companies listed in Europe on the main stock exchanges, the valuation metrics within this sector have changed significantly; however in 2012 the valuation metrics have stabilised:

a) Looking at the overall sector between 2007 and 2008:
o Sales multiples (FY n+1) have decreased in average by 7.9%.
o EBITDA multiples (FY n+1) have decreased in average by 11.4%.
o EBIT multiples (FY n+1) have decreased in average by 11.5%.

b) Looking at the overall sector between 2008 and 2009:
o Sales multiples (FY n+1) have decreased in average by 19.3%.
o EBITDA multiples (FY n+1) have decreased in average by 13.7%.
o EBIT multiples (FY n+1) have decreased in average by 5.7%.

c) Looking at the overall sector between 2009 and 2010:
o Sales multiples (FY n+1) have decreased in average by 3.4%.
o EBITDA multiples (FY n+1) have decreased in average by 2.3%.
o EBIT multiples (FY n+1) have increased in average by 8.0%.

d) Looking at the overall sector between 2010 and 2011:
o Sales multiples (FY n+1) have increased in average by 6.8%.
o EBITDA multiples (FY n+1) have decreased in average by 10.3%.
o EBIT multiples (FY n+1) have decreased in average by 27.0%.



For more updates, please contact directly Weissknight.



Looking at the number of main corporate finance transactions involving a European Healthcare company, the trend is as follow:
a) Number of deals between 2010 and 2011: -18.5%.
b) Number of deals between 2009 and 2010: +19.8%.
c) Number of deals between 2008 and 2009: -4.7%.
d) Number of deals between 2007 and 2008: -9.7%.
e) Number of deals between 2006 and 2007: +16.5%.
f) Number of deals between 2005 and 2006: +12.0%.

The financial crisis started in the middle of 2007, and has had some interesting impacts on valuation metrics and trends.
Looking at the various automotive companies listed in Europe on the main stock exchanges, the valuation metrics within this sector have changed significantly; however in 2012 the valuation metrics have stabilised:

a) Looking at the overall sector between 2007 and 2008:
o Sales multiples (FY n+1) have decreased in average by 22.5%.
o EBITDA multiples (FY n+1) have decreased in average by 19.4%.
o EBIT multiples (FY n+1) have decreased in average by 12.7%.

b) Looking at the overall sector between 2008 and 2009:
o Sales multiples (FY n+1) have decreased in average by 12.2%.
o EBITDA multiples (FY n+1) have increased in average by 35.1%.
o EBIT multiples (FY n+1) have increased in average by 27.8%.

c) Looking at the overall sector between 2009 and 2010:
o Sales multiples (FY n+1) have increased in average by 12.5%.
o EBITDA multiples (FY n+1) have decreased in average by 10.6%.
o EBIT multiples (FY n+1) have decreased in average by 21.4%.

d) Looking at the overall sector between 2010 and 2011:
o Sales multiples (FY n+1) have decreased in average by 25.7%.
o EBITDA multiples (FY n+1) have decreased in average by 34.6%.
o EBIT multiples (FY n+1) have decreased in average by 43.8%.



For more updates, please contact directly Weissknight.



Looking at the number of main corporate finance transactions involving a European Automotive company, the trend is as follow:
a) Number of deals between 2010 and 2011: -11.3%.
b) Number of deals between 2009 and 2010: +12.7%.
c) Number of deals between 2008 and 2009: -31.5%.
d) Number of deals between 2007 and 2008: +1.3%.
e) Number of deals between 2006 and 2007: +15.5%.
f) Number of deals between 2005 and 2006: -4.6%.

The financial crisis started in the middle of 2007, and has had some interesting impacts on valuation metrics and trends.
Looking at the various retail companies listed in Europe on the main stock exchanges, the valuation metrics within this sector have changed significantly; however in 2012 the valuation metrics have stabilised:

a) Looking at the overall sector between 2007 and 2008:
o Sales multiples (FY n+1) have decreased in average by 28.5%.
o EBITDA multiples (FY n+1) have decreased in average by 21.3%.
o EBIT multiples (FY n+1) have decreased in average by 11.8%.

b) Looking at the overall sector between 2008 and 2009:
o Sales multiples (FY n+1) have decreased in average by 18.1%.
o EBITDA multiples (FY n+1) have increased in average by 10.0%.
o EBIT multiples (FY n+1) have increased in average by 14.5%.

c) Looking at the overall sector between 2009 and 2010:
o Sales multiples (FY n+1) have decreased in average by 14.3%.
o EBITDA multiples (FY n+1) have decreased in average by 12.7%.
o EBIT multiples (FY n+1) have increased in average by 3.0%.

d) Looking at the overall sector between 2010 and 2011:
o Sales multiples (FY n+1) have increased in average by 4.7%.
o EBITDA multiples (FY n+1) have decreased in average by 6.3%.
o EBIT multiples (FY n+1) have decreased in average by 15.3%.



For more updates, please contact directly Weissknight.



Looking at the number of main corporate finance transactions involving a European retail company, the trend is as follow:
a) Number of deals between 2010 and 2011: +3.4%.
b) Number of deals between 2009 and 2010: +0.9%.
c) Number of deals between 2008 and 2009: -30.5%.
d) Number of deals between 2007 and 2008: -11.3%.
e) Number of deals between 2006 and 2007: +22.1%.
f) Number of deals between 2005 and 2006: -11.7%.

The financial crisis started in the middle of 2007, and has had some interesting impacts on valuation metrics and trends.
Looking at the various leisure companies listed in Europe on the main stock exchanges, the valuation metrics within this sector have changed significantly; however in 2012 the valuation metrics have stabilised:

a) Looking at the overall sector between 2007 and 2008:
o Sales multiples (FY n+1) have decreased in average by 39.4%.
o EBITDA multiples (FY n+1) have decreased in average by 34.7%.
o EBIT multiples (FY n+1) have decreased in average by 31.6%.

b) Looking at the overall sector between 2008 and 2009:
o Sales multiples (FY n+1) have increased in average by 23.1%.
o EBITDA multiples (FY n+1) have increased in average by 21.1%.
o EBIT multiples (FY n+1) have increased in average by 19.5%.

c) Looking at the overall sector between 2009 and 2010:
o Sales multiples (FY n+1) have decreased in average by 18.0%.
o EBITDA multiples (FY n+1) have decreased in average by 4.4%.
o EBIT multiples (FY n+1) have increased in average by 26.5%.

d) Looking at the overall sector between 2010 and 2011:
o Sales multiples (FY n+1) have increased in average by 8.2%.
o EBITDA multiples (FY n+1) have decreased in average by 22.8%.
o EBIT multiples (FY n+1) have decreased in average by 43.9%.



For more updates, please contact directly Weissknight.



Looking at the number of main corporate finance transactions involving a European leisure company, the trend is as follow:
a) Number of deals between 2010 and 2011: +7.7%.
b) Number of deals between 2009 and 2010: +10.0%.
c) Number of deals between 2008 and 2009: -24.2%.
d) Number of deals between 2007 and 2008: -31.3%.
e) Number of deals between 2006 and 2007: +5.2%.
f) Number of deals between 2005 and 2006: +3.4%.

The financial crisis started in the middle of 2007, and has had some interesting impacts on valuation metrics and trends.
Looking at the various utilities companies listed in Europe on the main stock exchanges, the valuation metrics within this sector have changed significantly; however in 2012 the valuation metrics have stabilised:

a) Looking at the overall sector between 2007 and 2008:
o Sales multiples (FY n+1) have decreased in average by 22.2%.
o EBITDA multiples (FY n+1) have decreased in average by 11.0%.
o EBIT multiples (FY n+1) have decreased in average by 13.1%.

b) Looking at the overall sector between 2008 and 2009:
o Sales multiples (FY n+1) have decreased in average by 21.3%.
o EBITDA multiples (FY n+1) have decreased in average by 19.9%.
o EBIT multiples (FY n+1) have decreased in average by 5.8%.

c) Looking at the overall sector between 2009 and 2010:
o Sales multiples (FY n+1) have decreased in average by 8.4%.
o EBITDA multiples (FY n+1) have increased in average by 2.5%.
o EBIT multiples (FY n+1) have increased in average by 27.6%.

d) Looking at the overall sector between 2010 and 2011:
o Sales multiples (FY n+1) have decreased in average by 15.6%.
o EBITDA multiples (FY n+1) have decreased in average by 15.5%.
o EBIT multiples (FY n+1) have decreased in average by 31.1%.



For more updates, please contact directly Weissknight.



Looking at the number of main corporate finance transactions involving a European Utilities company, the trend is as follow:
a) Number of deals between 2010 and 2011: -14.7%.
b) Number of deals between 2009 and 2010: +9.2%.
c) Number of deals between 2008 and 2009: -33.3%.
d) Number of deals between 2007 and 2008: -10.8%.
e) Number of deals between 2006 and 2007: +25.1%.
f) Number of deals between 2005 and 2006: -9.5%.

The financial crisis started in the middle of 2007, and has had some interesting impacts on valuation metrics and trends.
Looking at the various services companies listed in Europe on the main stock exchanges, the valuation metrics within this sector have changed significantly; however in 2012 the valuation metrics have stabilised:

a) Looking at the overall sector between 2007 and 2008:
o Sales multiples (FY n+1) have decreased in average by 16.6%.
o EBITDA multiples (FY n+1) have decreased in average by 2.7%.
o EBIT multiples (FY n+1) have decreased in average by 5.7%.

b) Looking at the overall sector between 2008 and 2009:
o Sales multiples (FY n+1) have decreased in average by 18.6%.
o EBITDA multiples (FY n+1) have decreased in average by 16.3%.
o EBIT multiples (FY n+1) have decreased in average by 14.8%.

c) Looking at the overall sector between 2009 and 2010:
o Sales multiples (FY n+1) have increased in average by 1.3%.
o EBITDA multiples (FY n+1) have decreased in average by 1.0%.
o EBIT multiples (FY n+1) have increased in average by 11.4%.

d) Looking at the overall sector between 2010 and 2011:
o Sales multiples (FY n+1) have decreased in average by 8.5%.
o EBITDA multiples (FY n+1) have increased in average by 1.7%.
o EBIT multiples (FY n+1) have decreased in average by 2.4%.



For more updates, please contact directly Weissknight.



Looking at the number of main corporate finance transactions involving a European services company, the trend is as follow:
a) Number of deals between 2010 and 2011: +12.0%.
b) Number of deals between 2009 and 2010: +23.3%.
c) Number of deals between 2008 and 2009: -21.9%.
d) Number of deals between 2007 and 2008: -6.4%.
e) Number of deals between 2006 and 2007: +22.9%.
f) Number of deals between 2005 and 2006: +12.3%.

The services industry is the largest of all modern economies. Business services, healthcare services and professional services account for 2/3 of this market.
The key trends for success within this sector are:

• ability to master technological changes
• excel at niche marketing
• excel at customer services
• excel at customer retention strategies

Main sectors covered by the Weissknight's team include:

• Business services
• Consumer services
• Education and training services
• Management services
• Personal services
• Rental and leasing services
• Research services
• Security and protection services
• Staffing and outsourcing services

Stock market performances and M&A trends in the Services sector (2009)
Stock market performances and M&A trends in the Services sector (2010)
Stock market performances and M&A trends in the Services sector (2011)
Stock market performances and M&A trends in the Services sector (2012)

The Retail & Consumer industry is characterised by a large number of challenges such as high demand, increased complexity, and increased cost pressure from competition.
Consolidation and globalisation are adding to the already complex challenges faced by all the players of this sector, forcing them to regularly re-examine their customer proposition, their pricing, their costs, and to think about corporate finance alternatives.

Main sectors covered by the Weissknight's team include:

• Department stores
• Discount stores
• Electronic stores
• Food processing, retail and distribution
• Catalogue and mail order house
• Ecommerce
• Auto dealership
• Jewellery stores
• Music & video shops
• Others specialty stores

Stock market performances and M&A trends in the Retail sector (2009)
Stock market performances and M&A trends in the Retail sector (2010)
Stock market performances and M&A trends in the Retail sector (2011)
Stock market performances and M&A trends in the Retail sector (2012)