For the third time in a row, NautaDutilh researched the market expectations of the following twelve months amongst more than 160 private equity and venture capital professionals, bankers and corporate finance advisors. Compared to 2013, the respondents are clearly more optimistic about the Benelux market of private equity, venture capital en leveraged finance. Apart from that, they expect an increase in private equity deal volume. This in spite of worries identified in this research about the market conditions in the Netherlands compared to other Western European countries and 'the Nordics'. In Belgium, there is a clear trend towards the lower mid-market, whilst in The Netherlands there is an increase in transactions towards the upper mid-market.

NautaDutilh’s report also points out the expected most important key drivers of the M&A market, the buying en selling parties and investment activities per sector over the next twelve months. Apart from the manufacturing and technology/IT industries, life sciences and business & professional services are mentioned as sectors in which the most activity is expected.

After publishing two extensive bi-annual reports in 2011 and 2013 on national level, NautaDutilh published an interim report, this time on a Benelux level, to be able to point out trends even earlier in our rapidly changing economic environment.

The report will be officially launched during the PE Summit in Amsterdam on April 23.

Please download our full report in European format or US format.