After posting a solid gain in our winter report, the FOCUS Carrier-Focused Telecom Technology Index (CFTTI) dropped 2.2% in our spring reporting period. This was slightly better than the 2.7% drop in the S&P 500, but worse than the 0.1% decline in the NASDAQ. The EFTTI is also down nearly 14% compared to this time last year. Over this time period, the EFTTI lagged the 9.2% decline in the S&P 500 but outperformed the 16.7% drop in the NASDAQ. Sector multiples are also lower than they were at this time last year. The sub sector revenue multiple dropped sharply from 2.5x to 2.1x, while the sector EBITDA multiple posted a more modest decline as it fell from 11.9x to 10.6x.
The FOCUS Enterprise-Focused Telecom Technology Index (EFTTI) experienced another disappointing reporting period with a three-month drop of 2.4%. This loss was in stark contrast to the broader indices as the S&P 500 and NASDAQ were up 5.3% and 5.4%, respectively. The EFTTI is also trading 19.0% below the levels of a year ago. This significantly underperformed the 9.7% loss in the S&P 500 but was roughly in line with the 18.7% decline in the NASDAQ. Sector multiples closed out the period at 4.6x revenue and 19.5x EBITDA. Both of these are lower than the corresponding multiples of a year ago of 6.1x revenue and 23.4x EBITDA.
Most people love pets…and most pet owners love to spoil them. That in a nutshell explains what’s driving the booming pet business, and the associated surge in industry M&A.
Middle market business fundamentals remain strong, although some companies are starting to show caution. Revenue growth and hiring have been robust, although companies continue to face challenges in finding skilled workers. There remains a strong appetite for quality deals as valuations have declined slightly. Private equity firms still have about $1 trillion of “dry powder” and appear impatient to put some of that to work. M&A volume moderated slightly in the second half of 2022 and appears unlikely to duplicate 2021’s record pace, but is on track for another strong year.
