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April 10, 2024

Pitsburgh Deal Activity: Increased scrutiny on forecasts in a volatile market

By Daniel Bowman

While the primary impetus for this change in buyer perspective stems largely from the pandemic and other macroeconomic factors like interest rate increases and complex geopolitical conditions, we expect that this aspect of buyer assessment will become a regular step in the deal process for the foreseeable future.

April 4, 2024

Cleveland Deal Activity: Resurfacing of financial sponsors as both buyers, sellers

Because of the record levels of uninvested capital from record levels of fundraising by private equity groups over the past three years, financial sponsors are expected to be more aggressive and active on the buy side in 2024.

March 27, 2024

Columbus Deal Activity: Resurfacing of financial sponsors as both buyers, sellers

Because of the record levels of uninvested capital from record levels of fundraising by private equity groups over the past three years, financial sponsors are expected to be more aggressive and active on the buy side in 2024.

March 27, 2024

Former FBI Agent On The Alarming Evolution Of Cyberthreats

Cyber Defense Labs Robert Anderson, Jr. on the state of cyberthreats today and how they've evolved in recent years

March 21, 2024

The Importance Of Driving Local Investment In St. Louis

BioSTL Founding President and CEO Donn Rubin, along with USAKO Group President and CEO Dr. Han Ko and Capacity Chief Strategy Officer Douglas Wilber shared their perspective on what it takes to build a company in the region.

March 7, 2024

AI Trends for the Progressive CEO: Navigating the Transformative Landscape

Chief Outsiders' Ed Valdez and Angus Robertson rank the eight most important factors in the AI scene to pay attention to right now.

March 7, 2024

It's Complicated: Earnouts And Their Impact On A Deal

The full Pittsburgh Smart Business Dealmakers Conference Kickoff panel offer their takes on the earnout's role in a deal — for better and worse.

December 15, 2023

Cleveland Deal Activity: Cultural Fit Matters

One of the most critical aspects of a successful transaction is cultural fit. There are several reasons it matters. Here are a few that can determine success or failure.

November 17, 2023

The Fourth Quarter Comeback

Sports enthusiasts can attest that there are few scenarios more thrilling than a fourth quarter comeback. And no NFL quarterback has led more fourth quarter comebacks than future Hall of Famer Tom

November 16, 2023

The Impact of Human Capital on M&A Deals

Caliber Midstream Company's Joseph Mills and Cooper Machinery Services' John O'Brien on the power of people in dealmaking.

November 10, 2023

Mayor, Business Leaders On The Evolution Of Downtown Minneapolis

Minneapolis city and business leaders discuss downtown revitalization and the role that the business community leaders play in making a dynamic and vibrant downtown a reality.

November 10, 2023

Deal Activity: The 4th Quarter Comeback

A brief look at history would indicate that total U.S. deal volume and Tom Brady have something in common: completing a 4th quarter comeback.

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

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

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

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 —

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.