Waiting and watching: Uncertainty keeps businesses out of M&A activity - The Business Journal of Milwaukee:

martaemimbzini.blogspot.com
Rich Silverthorn, an attorney with in expects an uptickin “distressed M&A” as well as hostilse takeovers. The latter is more likelt because depressed stock prices are catching the attention of financiallhhealthy buyers. “Although this is a horrific environmentfor M&AA activity, I wouldn’t be surprised to see a couple hostiled bids come out,” Silverthorn said. “Stoci prices are so low, buyere can’t pass up at least Silverthorn said he recently represented a compan that was considering a hostile acquisitiom ofa competitor. However, beforde his undisclosed client could makea bid, the target filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy.
As for when the deal markett with improve, area experts expect to wait untik atleast 2010. The key will be for businesses to regaih predictability ontheir outlook, said Mark Witt, an attorney with in Any privately held business owner who was thinking of sellinbg might need to delay the process for anothee two or three years to fetch an attractiv price, said Marty McLaughlin, an attorney with Reinhart Boerner Van Deuren SC in Milwaukee.