Current Transaction Data

The resources on this page are those sources where people can find information on Mergers & Acquisitions transactions. Each data source will be different in terms of how it can be searched and what data and information is available.

The sources at the top are either free like Securities & Exchange Advanced Search or are subscription database the Library subscribes to and which are available on-site. Each can be used for M&A transaction data but there are limitations related to search capability and available data. The subscription resources marked with a padlock are available to researchers on-site at the Library of Congress. If you are unable to visit the Library, you may be able to access these resources through your local public or academic library.

FII Online External This link opens in a new window
You will need to go to Library Reference and choose Advanced Search. Search for deals by using the CUSIP or Company name or search on date ranges.

Note: users must click the “Auto Login” button in order to gain access to database, then click "I accept the terms and conditions" at the bottom of the Online Data Service Agreement. Click "Library Reference" on the left to see search options. The simultaneous user limit for this resource may result in temporary delays.
Nexis Uni External This link opens in a new window
This database may be better for historical data but the Company & Financial data does include some SEC Platinum data. The data is basic incuding Target and acquirer, dates and when provided/available: ACQUISITION TECHNIQUE, ATTITUDE, DEFENSIVE TACTICS, FORM, STATUS, MANAGEMENT PARTICIPATION, EMPLOYEE PARTICIPATION, EMPLOYEE STOCK OWNERSHIP, INVESTOR GROUP, TRANSACTION SYNOPSIS, ENTERPRISE VALUE (mil), ENT. VALUE BASED ON EFFECTIVE DATE (mil), ENT. VALUE /TOTAL OPERATING INCOME, ENT. VALUE /NET INCOME, ENT. VALUE /TOTAL NET SALES, and ENT. VALUE /NET ASSETS.
PrivCo External This link opens in a new window
PrivCo is the source for financial and market intelligence on privately held companies in the U.S. with revenue greater than $1 million. PrivCo's coverage also includes data on investors and deals in the private equity, venture capital, and M&A markets. PrivCo's growing database covers more than 300,000 private companies and over 100,000 M&A deals and venture fundings.

Because the database is for private companies, deal data is included when it involves private companies and searching and data is limited. The homepage lists the most recent deals but click on the box with the number of deals to be taken to a deal search. It is possible to then filter by dollar figure, date, location, target industries, buyer industries, seller industries and entity type. Data is limited to dates, industries, and dollar amount.

SEC advanced filings search

The advanced search function will allow for searching by filing - in this case the DEF14M. Users can add date ranges, corporate location, company name, ticker, CIK number or individual's name as well as keyword. This will provide the actual SEC filing itself.

Transaction Data not Available through the Library of Congress

The subscription databases below are not available at the Library of Congress. They can be accessed only by those who have paid for the subscription. The list is provided as a courtesy for those seeking sources of searchable transaction data.

Refinitiv / Thomson Reuters External
SDC Platinum is its own product. Contains information on M&A, joint ventures, strategic alliances, syndicated loans, private equity, project finance, poison pills, etc. from around the world with data on more than 1.9 million transactions and 7,500 data items including more than 670,000 M&A deals going back to 1985 (Thomson Reuters Mergers & Acquisition (M&A) content covers over one million deals, including 300,000+ US-target and 700,000+ non-US-target transactions since the 1970s.). Also includes private deals. Provides flexible searching and downloading options. Fee/subscription-based service.
Deal Intelligence / Refinitiv External
This is related to the SDC Platinum product and includes insight & data on market activity through an extensive range of regular research reports and ad-hoc analyses. Fee/subscription-based service.
BVR: Deal & Market Data External
This source includes detailed information on the purchases of "Main Street" companies, middle market merger and acquisitions (M&A) of privately held companies, middle market merger and acquisitions of publicly traded companies, control premiums, implied minority discounts (discounts for lack of control), discounts for lack of marketability (DLOM), and financial benchmarking data. BVR has several products related to M&A. For private company transactions there is the BIZCOMPS Studies and Pratt's Stats. BIZCOMPS contains deals on small business transaction sale data and contains over 12,650 deals that provide details on purchases of "Main Street" businesses dating back to 1996 while Pratt's Stats has complete financial details on more than 18,800 acquired private companies. For public company transactions there is Public Stats, Mergerstat®/BVR Control Premium Study, PitchBook/BVR Guideline Public Company Comps Tool. Also includes FactSet's Mergerstat Review (print title). Fee/subscription-based service.
Bureau van Dijk ZEPHYR External
This product contains information on approaching 600,000 transactions (June 2008). Up to 100,000 new deals are added per year. The database is also expanding to cover more historical American and Asian transactions. ZEPHYR has five years of global coverage and includes deals involving European or American companies going back to 1997. Various deal types are covered including: M&A activity, IPOs, joint ventures and private equity deals. There is no minimum deal value. This is a fee/subscription based service but there is a free deal search and use your credit/debit card to buy detailed reports. Also, some of the general news/reports are free.
Capital IQ (S&P) External
Generally speaking, the data coverage for the entire product begins in 1998 though that may vary somewhat. Mergers & Acquisition data can be found as part of their Transactions data. They track all publicly announced mergers, acquisitions, private placements, public offerings, shelf registrations, equity buybacks and bankruptcies. The transaction data is updated daily from various sources such as regulatory filings, company websites, newsletters, trade publications, and press releases. Filtering can be on dates, industry, deal value, deal specifics, etc. Downloading into spreadsheet format is available. Also included are League Tables for investment banks activity. Fee/subscription-based service.
Dealogic External
Their product includes information on 800,000+ mergers, acquisitions, divestments, recapitalizations, and buybacks. Fee/subscription-based service.
Energy & Natural Resources (S&P Global) External
This vendors provides different platforms that contain different data. This is where the Herold's (and Pratt) M&A data is to be found currently (see Solutions- Energy & Natural Resources). Was later known as IHS Market.
Mergermarket External
Deal information back to 1998 as well as league tables. Also includes information on deals not yet complete. While this is a subscription/fee-based service, some of the reports are free to download if you provide some personal information.
Mergr External
This is a PE/M&A database.
4.3K Private Equity Firms
171K M&A Transactions 177K Companies Involved in M&A (Buyer, Seller, or Target)
3.4K M&A Advisors (Investment Banks and Law Firms)
63K M&A Contacts (PE and M&A Advisors)

Mergers, Acquisitions, and Joint Ventures: A Resource Guide

Current Transaction Data

Transaction Data not Available through the Library of Congress