Business Combinations

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2012

Business Combinations [Abstract]

Business Combination Disclosure [Text Block]

Business Combinations

The Company executes accretive business acquisitions in combination with organic growth initiatives as part of its comprehensive business growth and expansion strategy. The Company' looks to acquire businesses that are complementary to Ebix's existing products and services. During the first quarter of 2012 the Company did not execute any material business acquisitions.

Consideration paid by the Company for the businesses it purchases is allocated to the assets and liabilities acquired based upon their estimated fair values as of the date of the acquisition. The excess of the purchase price over the estimated fair values of assets acquired and liabilities assumed is recorded as goodwill. Recognized goodwill pertains to the value of the expected synergies to be derived from combining the operations of the businesses we acquire including the value of the acquired workforce.

During the first quarter of 2012 the Company received a termination fee in connection with a failed business acquisition. In this regard the Company recorded a reduction to general and administrative expense in the approximate amount of $971 thousand (net of significant directly related internal operating costs incurred by the Company and a portion of the fee that had to be paid to our investment banker).