The value of U.S. announced M&A transactions dropped 9.4% in third quarter, while PE-backed deals showed gains, according to data from Dealogic.

There were 2,662 U.S. M&A deals in third quarter, totaling $239.7 billion. This compares to 2,344 transactions valued at about $264.6 billion for the same time period in 2010, Dealogic says. Third quarter’s deal values were also off about 6% from Q2 when 2,614 transactions totaled $254.5 billion, Dealogic says.

PE-backed deals showed increases in both deal value (up 14.2%) and the number of deals (up 11%) compared to last year. Private equity was involved in 162 transactions in Q3, valued at $21.7 billion. This compares to 146 deals in third quarter of 2010 that totaled about $19 billion. But the value of PE-backed deals declined from second quarter when 151 transactions totaled $23.8 billion.

Here’s the top 5 U.S. announced PE deals for third quarter.

5. Blackboard

In July, Providence Equity Partners agreed to buy Blackboard for $1.64 billion plus $136 million in debt.

The transaction closed yesterday.

Blackboard, of Washington D.C., provides education software technology to students globally.

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  3. How Many Deals Has Carlyle Done This Year?
  4. Slideshow: Top 10 U.S. Tech/Telecom Advisors, Qatalyst Jumps To 10th
  5. PE-Backed M&A Drops 26% in Q1, Firms Putting in 31% Equity In Deals

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