Leading M&A advisors expect deal activity to continue to increase for the remainder of 2011. A recent study released at the Tulane University Law School Corporate Law Institute finds that top bankers believe the healthcare (21%), energy (17%) and financial services (17%) sectors are the areas ripest for consolidation this year.  These sectors have been favored by financial and strategic buyers for the last three years.

Private equity is expected to be much more active this year accounting for projected 22 percent of deal volume in 2011, compared with only 8 percent in 2010 and 5 percent in 2009.

This year almost 50 percent of those surveyed believe that confidence at the executive and board level is the biggest driver supporting the increase in deal activity.  That is a big increase from 36 percent last year. Concerns about the availability of corporate cash and availability of financing have dropped significantly.

"2011 got off to a strong start with $302 billion in announced deals so far," said Rich Jackim, a Managing Director at MidCap Advisors.  "The improving economy, renewed corporate confidence, and improving valuation multiples should drive even stronger deal activity for the rest of the year."