Three blockbuster deals for financial-technology companies pushed takeover spending to a record $120 billion in the first half of the year as bidders targeted payments firms, according to research from consulting firm Hampleton Partners.
Fiserv Inc.’s acquisition of First Data Corp. and Global Payments Inc.’s deal for Total System Services Inc. both topped $20 billion. Fidelity National Information Services Inc.’s agreement to combine with Worldpay Inc. for about $43 billion including debt was the biggest deal announced so far in the booming international payments sector. Demand for these companies is also pushing valuations to a high, with bidders paying a ...