In the first semester 2011, 159 new deals were registered in the Italian market, for an overall value of 1,524 Mln Euros, equal to a 176% increase compared to the same period of 2010. The increase in the number of operations was equal to 23%.
The expansion deals were predominant in terms of number, involving 74 deals, with a 48% increase on the 50 deals of the same period of 2010. The amount invested in this segment also saw a 93% growth, passing from 145 to 280 Mln Euros.
In terms of amount, the buy out activity attracted 1,160 Mln Euros (76% of the total amount invested), up from the 329 Mln registered in the first half of 2010 (+252%). Buy out deals also increased in number, passing from 20 to 27 (+35%).
The early stage segment remained steady in the first semester of 2011, recording 50 deals (-2%), for a total amount invested of approximately 40 Mln Euros (-2%).
The first half of 2011 saw 75 divestments (+21% on first half 2010 figures), for a total amount, calculated at cost, of 2,337 Mln Euros (470 Mln Euros in the same period of 2010).
As for the type of divestments carried on, trade sales were predominant, representing 31 divestments, 41% of total number, for an amount of 1,584 Mln Euros (99 Mln in first half 2010), equal to 68% of total divested amount. 
Fundraising showed a 19% decrease compared to the same period of 2010: institutional investors operating in Italy raised funds for approximately 384 Mln Euros (473 in the first half of 2010).
As of 30 June 2011, the total portfolio of investors monitored in Italy was estimated to stand at a value at cost of about 20 Bln Euros for an equivalent number of approximately 1,300 investments distributed over 1,100 companies. The funds available for investments, excluding pan-European and captive investors’ resources, were 7.8 Bln Euros.