Technology mergers more than double

Figures show year-to-date mergers and acquisitions are outstripping 2006

Technology company mergers set to increase

The value of European technology mergers and acquisitions has more than doubled in the last year, according to figures from market analyst Thomson Financial.

Mergers and acquisitions in 2007 have reached a total value of $36.4bn (£18.37bn) compared with $14.4bn (£7.27bn) at the same time last year.

The findings reflect an overall increase in worldwide mergers and acquisitions, running 77 per cent ahead of last year across sectors including financial, industrial, property and technology.

The value of European bids across industry sectors in 2007 has already matched the full year for 2005 and exceeded the 2004 total.