Health Care M&A in Q4:15

Okay, so we had a record third quarter in 2015, with more than 390 deals (we’re still counting) and $198 billion-plus in spending. Looking ahead to the fourth quarter, consolidation in many sectors is still strong, as rivals realize they may need to join forces to achieve scale. Case in point: AmSurg Corporation (NASDAQ: AMSG) made an unsolicited $7.5 billion offer for TeamHealth Holdings (NYSE: TMH), which is in the midst of its own acquisition of IPC Healthcare (NASDAQ: IPCM). Although Team Health rebuffed the offer, a larger one is in the offing, no doubt. Also, the huge cash reserves on many companies’ balance sheets are likely destined for M&A transactions, particularly if the emerging markets are not delivering growth, as expected. Fourth quarters are typically busy for M&A advisors and bankers, but deal flow is notoriously unpredictable. It could be 2012 all over again. Stay tuned.