IntraLinks Deal Flow Indicator (DFI) for the second quarter of 2012 shows a 23 per cent increase in global merger and acquisition deal activity compared to Q2 2011.   All regions also showed a year-over-year positive trend for Q2 2012 over Q2 2011, with the strongest growth in Asia Pacific (30 per cent) and similarly positive trends in Latin America (19 per cent), Europe/Middle East/Africa (EMEA) (23 per cent), and North America (22 per cent).   In addition to the 23 per cent year-over-year growth, the DFI also reveals increased volume in deals reaching due diligence over the last four

Morgan Stanley Global Private Equity has completed a majority investment in Creative Circle, one of North America’s largest professional staffing firms specialising in advertising, creative and marketing talent. Morgan Stanley Global Private Equity partnered with the current management team who will remain in place and retain a considerable equity stake. Creative Circle is a specialised staffing agency representing advertising, creative, marketing, visual communication and digital/interactive professionals on both a freelance and full-time basis. The company delivers talent solutions to top advertising agencies and marketing firms as well as to the marketing and communications departments of industry-leading companies. Headquartered in Los

Global merger and acquisitions activity in the first three quarters of 2012 added up to USD1,426.5bn, down by 19.4 per cent on the same period in 2011 (USD1,769.3bn), and representing the second lowest total since Q1-Q3 2009 (USD1,142bn), according to mergermarket. Q3 2012 totalled USD433.5bn, down 20.2 per cent from Q2 2012 (USD543bn), resuming the free-fall briefly paused by a rally in Q2. European deals in Q3 2012 had a total value of USD99.2bn, down 46.1 per cent from Q2 2012 (USD183.9bn) and a 40 per cent decrease on Q3 2011 (USD165.2bn). It was the lowest quarterly total for Europe

An affiliate of private equity firm Roark Capital Group has acquired Massage Envy, the largest provider of massage therapy and facial treatments in the US. "We are thrilled to have Roark as a partner as we continue to grow the Massage Envy brand," says Dave Crisalli, Massage Envy’s president and chief executive. "Roark’s strong operational approach and deep consumer and franchise experience makes them an ideal partner for our leadership team, regional developers, franchisees and team members." Ezra Field, managing director of Roark Capital, says: "Massage Envy has become a category-defining consumer wellness brand.  We are very excited to partner

Merger and acquisition deal flow into Europe is set to grow towards the end of 2012 and into 2013 as overseas buyers, including those in Asia Pacific, North America and South America, target discounted European M&A opportunities, according to Clifford Chance. Arndt Stengel, M&A partner in Frankfurt, says: "We expect to see a rise in European M&A activity driven by increasing investment opportunities in Europe. High quality assets are becoming available at competitive valuations as European sellers, including distressed sellers, are disposing of non-core assets.  This is attracting larger international buyers with a strong cash position, looking for the right

Gresham, the UK mid market private equity firm, has completed the GBP25m management buyout of Investis, a UK provider of digital corporate communications for public companies. At the same time, the investor relations business of Hemscott has been acquired by Investis from Morningstar.   Gresham intends to use its investment in Investis as a platform to accelerate the development of new digital products, to extend its reach to new customers in new geographies and to make acquisitions both in the UK and internationally. It will take advantage of Investis’ market leading position in digital corporate communications for listed companies including

Loss adjusting and claims management firm Cunningham Lindsey Group and a CVC Capital Partners-led investor group including Allied World Financial Services have agreed to a recapitalisation by which funds affiliated with CVC will acquire majority ownership of Cunningham Lindsey.  Founded more than 100 years ago, Cunningham Lindsey has grown organically and through acquisitions into the largest loss adjusting and claims management firm globally with a network of approximately 7,000 people operating in 61 countries.  In 2007, affiliates of Stone Point Capital acquired a majority interest in the company via a public-to-private transaction, with Fairfax Financial Holdings retaining a substantial ownership

Mexcian restaurant group Tortilla, which is backed by private equity firm Quilvest, has secured GBP2.25m in new bank financing from Santander Corporate Banking to fund expansion. The new credit facilities will further enhance Quilvest’s original GBP3.5m investment in Tortilla in December 2011. The financing comes as Tortilla secures three additional sites in London, Kent and Southampton and continues to pursue its expansion strategy. Including these three new openings, Tortilla will have 11 restaurants in the UK and is understood to be in discussions for several additional locations. The new London site at 460 Strand is adjacent to Trafalgar Square. Quilvest

Middle market private equity firm The Sterling Group’s affiliated investment fund, Sterling Group Partners III, is to acquire all of the equity interests that comprise the Dexter Axle business from Tomkins Industries, a subsidiary of Pinafore Holdings. The Dexter Axle business manufactures trailer axle, brake and suspension assemblies and related replacement parts and components. The closing of the transaction is subject to customary conditions and is expected to occur in the last quarter of 2012.