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August 18, 2023
An Uncertain Economy Brings The Focus Inward
The uncertainty of the current state of the economy has driven Jim Banovich, CEO of Marsh Electronics to invest into the company and start getting it in position for the next generation and the next...
By Adam Burroughs
July 28, 2023
Slowed inflation to temper rising cost of capital ... hopefully
Sharply increasing inflation rates over the past two and a half years in the U.S. are a result of several contributing factors, but none more than the relationship between the prices for goods and...
By Anthony Melchiorre
June 2, 2023
Estate Tax Planning Considerations for Contemplated M&A Transactions
The landscape of estate tax planning is set to undergo a significant change in the coming years, as the estate tax exemption is set to revert to pre-2018 levels at the end of 2025. This means that...
By Tom Freeman & Evan Lyons
May 26, 2023
Stifel Financial Corp.'s Greg Urban On The Mixed M&A Market and Its Culprits
Confidence in the macro environment is a significant driver of M&A activity in this uneven market, says Stifel Financial Corp Managing Director Greg Urban. "The availability of equity capital —...
By Adam Burroughs
May 5, 2023
Baltimore Business Leaders See An Economy of Both Ups And Downs
Mahogany Inc.'s Jeff Hargrave, Acme Paper & Supply Co.'s Andy Attman, MacKenzie, Commercial Real Estate Services' Owen Rouse, Jr., and FNB Corp.'s Mac Tisdale share anecdotes from their experiences on the front lines and observations of trends during this choppy economy....
By Adam Burroughs
April 26, 2023
Hall of Fame Roundtable Weighs In On Today's Deal Challenges
Valenti Capital's Sam Valenti III, along with MSX International's Fred Minturn, BELLE Michigan Impact Fund's Carolyn Cassin, and BDO Consulting Group's Robert Berdanier share their view on the current M&A climate. ...
By Adam Burroughs
April 26, 2023
Deal Pulse: It's the best of times and the worst of times
The domestic M&A market is in a state of great disparity. Valuations from buyers receded to pre-pandemic levels while sellers continue to expect the lofty valuations seen in the latter portion of 2020...
By Al Melchiorre
April 26, 2023
The 180° Turn of M&A Conditions
Gavin Slader, head of the investment bank for JMP, a Citizens company, offers his state of M&A — an overview of the conditions dealmakers are facing and predictions for how the 2023 deal year finishes up....
By Adam Burroughs
April 21, 2023
Finding Opportunity In Disruption
Defiant Capital Group Founder Jonathan Dane on launching the firm, his perspective on how the investor mindset has changed over the years since, and offers tips on post-business investment life....
By Adam Burroughs
March 17, 2023
Sellers Sharpen Their Pencils Looking For The Right Transaction In 2023
Brightstar Capital Partners Principal Jacob Herschend, along with Wallis Companies CEO Anson Scoville and CIBC Cleary Gull Director Brian Howley, kicked off the 2023 St. Louis Smart Business Conference talking about the climate for sell-side M&A transactions in 2023 and how it might impact deals...
By Adam Burroughs
March 3, 2023
Columbus Deal Pulse: Positive Trends During Turbulent Times
The Central Ohio M&A market realized a modest decline in deal volume of 20 percent during January 2023 compared to January 2022. Still, several noteworthy transactions occurred in Central Ohio during the month....
By Mike Kostandaras
February 17, 2023
Positive Trends During Turbulent Times
Private equity fundraising, driven by an increase in capital from private investors, has remained near historic highs. However, private equity groups will also be tasked with balancing the challenges of securing debt capital as credit tightens....
By Mike Kostandaras
February 3, 2023
Optimism For A Return To Normal Pervades In M&A For 2023
Dave Dunstan spoke on the Smart Business Dealmakers Podcast about the survey results and the expectation among buyers and sellers for the 2023 deal year. ...
By Adam Burroughs
January 20, 2023
Cleveland Deal Pulse: Earnouts Increase In Popularity
Earnouts can align buyer and seller interests, incentivizing sellers to stick around post-sale to realize an economic benefit from the continued success of the business. Increasingly, they're being used to align total deal value to the ongoing performance of the business in a period of uncertainty, says Carter Hatina, an analyst with MelCap Partners, LLC....
By Carter Hatina
January 13, 2023
Deal Pulse Pittsburgh: Earnouts Increase In Popularity
Given today’s challenging economic environment, earnouts will likely remain an important feature in M&A deals. ...
By Carter Hatina
January 6, 2023
In M&A, it's no longer Hungry Hungry Hippos. It's Risk.
The Chartis Group Director - PE Advisory Practice Leader Eric Mayeda on how the economic conditions are changing buyer behavior and what that means for sellers. ...
By Adam Burroughs
January 6, 2023
So You Want To Invest In Cannabis ...
Scot Crowe, a governing board member at Dickinson Wright and head of the law firm's private equity practice, on the latest trends in the red-hot cannabis industry. ...
By Adam Burroughs
December 16, 2022
Cleveland Deal Pulse: M&A Key To Corporate Strategies Despite Uncertainty
Rising inflation and interest rates, as well as a looming recessionary period, continue to be top-of-mind for dealmakers. The economic uncertainty caused by these issues has led to modest M&A volatility. However, valuations for high-quality businesses remain lofty....
By Anthony A. Melchiorre
December 16, 2022
Deal Pulse Pittsburgh: M&A Key To Corporate Strategies Despite Uncertainty
Rising inflation and interest rates, as well as a looming recessionary period, continue to be top-of-mind for dealmakers. The economic uncertainty caused by these issues has led to modest M&A volatility. However, valuations for high-quality businesses remain lofty....
By Anthony A. Melchiorre
November 23, 2022
JumpStart's Jerry Frantz On How Uncertainty Is Affecting Early-Stage Investors
JumpStart Ventures President Jerry Frantz on how the early-stage investor mindset has been affected by market uncertainty and what it means for entrepreneurs. ...
By Adam Burroughs
November 18, 2022
Deal Pulse Cleveland: Rising Interest Rates Impact Private Equity
Interest rates have become a greater challenge, leading private equity to counter by increasing the portion of equity placed into deals to better manage the cost of debt....
By Evan Lyons
November 18, 2022
Deal Pulse Pittsburgh: Rising Interest Rates Impact Private Equity
Interest rates have become a greater challenge, leading private equity to counter by increasing the portion of equity placed into deals to better manage the cost of debt. ...
By Evan Lyons
November 11, 2022
Young People See Startups As A Way To Make An Impact
Ohio Innovation Fund Principal Faith Voinovich on changes she's seen in early-stage investing and shares her view of the broader startup picture....
By Adam Burroughs
November 4, 2022
Dealmakers share their stories, evaluate the current deal market
At the Charlotte Smart Business Dealmakers Conference, a panel of C-suite executives, entrepreneurs, and an M&A financial adviser, led by moderator Greg Wilcox, a First National Bank Regional Manager, explored the state of the deal market and their respective organizational journeys amid a tightening interest- rate cycle, persistently high inflation, and challenging economic conditions....
By Adam Burroughs
October 28, 2022
Dry Powder vs Rising Interest Rates
Petra Capital Partners' David Fitzgerald on how raising capital and investment decisions are being affected by conditions in the market....
By Adam Burroughs
October 28, 2022
Deal Pulse Columbus: M&A Outlook in a Volatile Economy
Columbus M&A for the nine months ended September 30, 2022 was 29.1 precent lower than the same time period in 2021, while September 2022 deal volume was 57.1 percent lower than September 2021. ...
By Dan Bowman
October 21, 2022
Deal Pulse Northeast Ohio: M&A Outlook in a Volatile Economy
The Northeast Ohio M&A market has faced the same headwinds as the broader U.S. Deal volume for the nine months ended September 30, 2022 was 10.1 percent lower than the same time period in 2021, while September 2022 deal volume was 26.3 percent lower than September 2021. Still, Northeast Ohio saw the closing of several noteworthy transactions....
By Dan Bowman
October 21, 2022
Deal Pulse Pittsburgh: M&A Outlook in a Volatile Economy
The Pittsburgh M&A market has faced the same, if not worse, headwinds as the broader U.S. Deal volume for the nine months ended September 30, 2022 was 25.6 percent lower than the same time period in 2021, while September 2022 deal volume was 50 percent lower than September 2021. Still, Pittsburgh saw the closing of several noteworthy transactions....
By Dan Bowman
October 14, 2022
Adjusting to a disrupted market
Heritage Holding's Alex de Pfyffer and IMB Partners' Tarrus Richardson on about buyers' and sellers' reaction to the changing M&A market....
By Adam Burroughs
September 30, 2022
Evaluating The Columbus Deal Market
Stonehenge Partners' Sean Dunn, Ice Miller's Chris Michael, Kaufman Development's Ian Labitue, Worthington Industries' Patrick Kennedy and MEMM Capital'sMark Fleming Jr. kick off the Columbus Smart Business Dealmakers Conference with an evaluation of the current Columbus deal market....
By Adam Burroughs
September 23, 2022
Supply chain, HR, take on increasing importance in a deal
Mason Wells Senior Managing Director Jay Radtke on how to be an effective buyer in this hyper-competitive and ever-changing environment. ...
By Adam Burroughs
September 15, 2022
Deal Pulse: The economic impact of manufacturing resurgence
In his latest Deal Pulse report, Mike Kostandaras of MelCap Partners assesses the current M&A market, including a discussion of recent deals, a puts a spotlight on domestic manufacturing. ...
By Mike Kostandaras
September 15, 2022
Deal Pulse: The Economic Impact of a Manufacturing Resurgence
In his latest Deal Pulse report, Mike Kostandaras of MelCap Partners assesses the current M&A market, including a discussion of recent deals, a puts a spotlight on domestic manufacturing. ...
By Mike Kostandaras
August 26, 2022
A look at M&A in today's food & beverage sector
Prairie Capital Advisors' Terry Bressler and Dan DeLap on how the deal market in the food and beverage sector is playing out this year, their expectations for the near-term, and factors that both buyers and sellers should consider ahead of a transaction....
By Adam Burroughs
August 19, 2022
Deal Pulse: COVID's continued M&A impact
The Central Ohio M&A market has exhibited a similar trend as the broader domestic market, as deal volume for the seven months ended July 2022 was 18.6 percent lower than the prior year. Meanwhile, Central Ohio deal volume fell by 24 percent in July 2022 relative to July 2021....
By Matt Figas
August 19, 2022
Deal Pulse: M&A in a Virtual World
In July 2022, the Northeast Ohio M&A market demonstrated more resilience than the broader domestic market, as deal volume in July 2022 increased by 13.8 percent relative to July 2021. However, for the seven months ended July 2022, Northeast Ohio deal volume was 10.1 percent lower than the prior year. ...
By Matt Figas
August 19, 2022
How macro factors are influencing deals
Murphy McCormack Capital Advisors' Bob McCormack, Bortek Industries' Greg Alt, Quotient's Clark Lare, and Bowie & Jensen's William McComas on the factors influencing buy-side deals and post-acquisition integration post-COVID....
By Adam Burroughs
August 11, 2022
Real estate investing in a dynamic market
Citymark Capital Founder and CEO Dan Walsh on the real estate investment market, what, and where, is hot, and how he sees the investment landscape playing out given the economic currents....
By Adam Burroughs
July 13, 2022
Deal Pulse: Volume down, value up amid mounting headwinds
Following a healthy first quarter, U.S. and local deal volume declined the second quarter ended June 30. However, total deal value on a national basis was up sharply over the same period. Acquirers are increasingly confronted with a difficult labor market....
By Evan Lyons and Mike Kostandaras
June 17, 2022
Investing in Downtown Baltimore
MCB Real Estate's P. David Bramble, Downtown Partnership of Baltimore's Shelonda Stokes, Chasen Companies' Brandon Chasen and FNB Corp.'s Mac Tisdale discuss the opportunities available for investors in downtown Baltimore. ...
By Adam Burroughs
June 2, 2022
Economic development challenges, opportunities in Greater Cleveland
Downtown Cleveland Alliance's Michael Deemer, Howard Hanna Real Estate Services' Howard W. "Hoby" Hanna, IV, First National Bank's Jeff Bechtel and K&D's Doug Price helped kickoff the recent Cleveland Smart Business Dealmakers Conference with a roundtable discussing the drivers of economic development in Northeast Ohio....
By Adam Burroughs
May 27, 2022
Evaluating the current deal market and looking ahead
Speaking at the recent Milwaukee Smart Business Dealmakers Conference, TKO Miller's Joe Froehlich, who was joined by Web Finance Direct CEO Miller Newton for the kickoff session titled, "What’s Over the Horizon? Evaluating the current deal market and looking ahead," moderated by Husch Blackwell’s Chief Executive Paul Eberle, the group offered insight on what they are seeing in the marketplace and how changing market conditions may impact deal flow and structures....
By Adam Burroughs
May 26, 2022
How the middle-market M&A scene might play out for 2022
Based on analyst reports and Citizens Annual Middle Market M&A Outlook, 2022 is expected to be another high-paced deal year, says David Dunstan managing director in Citizens M&A Advisory Group....
By Adam Burroughs
March 25, 2022
Assessing the economic factors influencing M&A
Kicking off this past week's Nashville Smart Business Dealmakers Conference, Laurel Graefe of the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta - Nashville Branch, along with the Nashville Chamber of Commerce's Wanda Lyle, and UBS's Shane Lieberman and James Jack, discuss what's driving business and M&A activity nationwide and across the Nashville region, and what to expect for the remainder of 2022....
By Adam Burroughs
March 4, 2022
For entrepreneurs, there's no place like St. Louis
Clayton Capital Partners' Kevin Short, along with Capital Innovators' Judy Sindecuse, Capacity's David Karandish and EmpowerMe Wellness' Josh Stevens, break down what's driving activity in region and why they believe St. Louis is a great place to do business....
By Adam Burroughs
February 25, 2022
Bold predictions for the 2022 M&A year
Will 2022 bring us a recession? The best deal year ever? Or the end of working from home? Predictions abound as the Dealmakers Roundtable kicked off this year's Pittsburgh Smart Business Dealmakers Conference....
By Adam Burroughs
January 28, 2022
Buyers Negotiate Protections As Valuations Soar
Bellmark Partners' Andy Vollmer explores the record-level of M&A activity in 2021, the driving factors of that activity, the consequences, and what we can expect for the remainder of 2022. ...
By Dan Pender
January 21, 2022
Expectations for M&A in 2022
Citizens' Jerry Sargent and Dave Dunstan, along with Safe Harbor Marinas' Baxter Underwood and Locus Robotics' Bruce Welty explore how executives are faring in the ongoing war for talent, the impact of current supply chain issues on dealmaking, and whether the frenzied M&A market will stay hot....
By Adam Burroughs
November 17, 2021
WinTrust’s Paul Carlisle on market liquidity and its impact on deals
WinTrust Financial Corp.'s Paul Carlisle looks at the challenges facing the market, the state of capital, and the conditions dealmakers could expect for the remainder of the deal year. ...
By Adam Burroughs
November 12, 2021
The importance of ESG alignment
Ampex Brands Eric Easton, along with UBS' Amantia Muhedini and Samuel Parker look at how sustainable investing and an intentional diversity strategy can be a company’s differentiator and help drive continued growth. ...
By Adam Burroughs
