Disruptive Power of Tech Spawns Buyouts, Spin-Offs
Big Money
There were 64 IT industry deals worth more than $30 billion, combined, in the third quarter, compared with 70 deals worth $27.7 billion in the prior quarter.
Sector Breakdown: IT Services
The IT services sector saw nine deals worth $8 billion, combined, in the latest quarter, compared with 10 deals worth $2.9 billion in the second quarter.
Sector Breakdown: Hardware
There were 15 deals in the hardware sector worth $6.9 billion, combined, in the latest quarter, compared with 13 deals worth $10.2 billion in the second quarter of 2014.
Sector Breakdown: Semiconductor
The semiconductor sector saw seven deals worth $5.6 billion, combined, last quarter, compared with seven deals worth $7.9 billion in the second quarter of 2014.
Sector Breakdown: Internet
There were 13 deals in the Internet sector worth $5.1 billion, combined, in the latest quarter, compared with 18 deals worth $2.6 billion in the second quarter.
Sector Breakdown: Software
The software sector saw 20 deals worth $4.5 billion, combined, last quarter, compared with 22 deals worth $4.2 billion in the second quarter.
Top Deals of the Latest Quarter: Leisurely Pursuit
Oracle acquired Micros Systems, an enterprise applications solutions provider for the food and beverage, hotel and retail industries, for $5.3 billion.
Top Deals of the Latest Quarter: Hip-Hop Hooray
Apple bought Beats Electronics, an audio products company founded by rapper Dr. Dre, for $3 billion.
Top Deals of the Latest Quarter: Appealing Menu
Priceline purchased Open Table, an online restaurant reservation company, for $2.6 billion.
Top Deals of the Latest Quarter: Powering Up
Analog Devices acquired Hittite Microwave, a designer and manufacturer of electronic components, for $2.4 billion.
Top Deals of the Latest Quarter: Virtually Rich
Facebook bought Oculus VR, a virtual reality technology developer, for $2.3 billion.
Tech Giants Doing Splits
Late in the quarter, heavyweights—such as HP and Symantec—revealed plans to split their enterprises in two. Their goal is to determine “how to best compete in a future that necessitates agility alongside innovation,” the report stated.