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August 18, 2023

An Uncertain Economy Brings The Focus Inward

By Adam Burroughs

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.