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.

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

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)

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 trillion in 2009. In terms of financing, more than € 22 billion have been invested by VCs investors, among which € 5 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.

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)

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)

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 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)

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 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)

Companies of this industry operate in a unique environment. They face the challenge of providing their clients with optimum quality and services, while controlling rising costs. And they must constantly react to changes in government regulations, tax laws, operational advancements and member expectations.

Main sectors covered include:

• Restaurants
• Resorts & hotels
• Casino
• Sporting activities
• Entertainment

Stock market performances and M&A trends in the Leisure sector (2009)
Stock market performances and M&A trends in the Leisure sector (2010)

The industrial sector is a large, diverse and an old sector. Companies of this sector generally take the output of the primary sector, and manufacture finished goods. They consume large quantities of energy, and require factories and machinery to convert the raw materials into goods & products. They also produce waste materials, that create environmental problems and/or cause pollution.

However, most players face similar challenges: increased costs of oil, gas, steel, cooper… which is squeezing margins, unless offset by pricing. To face these challenges, some players have increased globalisation, consolidation of marginal players, and others are looking to divest underperforming units.

We understand these issues as we work with industrial clients across the globe.

Main sectors covered include:

• Manufacturing
• Materials & construction
• Electronic and electrical components
• Metals and mining
• Chemicals

Stock market performances and M&A trends in the Industrial sector (2009)
Stock market performances and M&A trends in the Industrial sector (2010)

The Healthcare industry is one of the world’s fastest growing industries, absorbing over 10% of GDP of most developed nations.
The global prescription drug market was worth over € 500 billion in 2008, and the total healthcare expenditures across the world were about € 4 trillion last year.
The future perspective of this industry seems to be immensely bright and encouraging in terms of the expected surge in global demand and investments. Several trends such as globalisation, continuous investment in R&D, fund raising and M&A, are the key drivers of this industry.

Typically, our clients have built value by first establishing strong positions in their market. They are looking for a way to maximise shareholders’ value for the long-term, whether through an acquisition, a private placement or a sale of the company.

Our understanding of the value creation process at each stage of the lifecycle of a company, combined with our transactional knowledge, allows us to provide advices on strategy, valuation and transaction structure in the following sectors:

• Biotechnology
• Diagnostics
• Healthcare technology & services
• Pharmaceutical services
• Life science technology
• Medical devices
• Specialty pharmaceuticals

Stock market performances and M&A trends in the Healthcare sector (2009)
Stock market performances and M&A trends in the Healthcare sector (2010)

The global aerospace and defence industry regroups civil and military manufacturers of aerospace and defence equipment, parts or products. They also include defence electronics, and space equipment suppliers.

• Defence remains the dominant sector accounting for 75% of the global market, aerospace accounting for the remaining 25%.
• The USA represents more than 50% of this market, and Europe accounting for only 20%.

Main sectors covered include:

• Avionics and electronics systems
• Aircraft engines and components
• Interiors and cabin systems
• Maintenance, repair, and overhaul services
• Military vehicles
• Missiles and munitions
• Space vehicles and components

Stock market performances and M&A trends in the Aerospace sector (2009)
Stock market performances and M&A trends in the Aerospace sector (2010)

Weissknight is an independent and relationship-driven advisory company. We advise specifically European clients, looking for reaching the European based Financial Community, on all types of company valuation services and investment banking transactions.

Our mission is to offer strategic corporate finance advices through our processes and result-oriented methodology. Weissknight provides its clients with highly specialised business advisory services at every stage of the lifecycle of their company.

Our company's objective is to provide our clients with independent advices, to create long-standing relationships and to become their ongoing corporate adviser.