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Market Commentary

News From The Middle
Published on: 02/27/2014
Everyone involved in the middle market deal business is well aware of downward statistical trends from 2012 to 2013. Deal makers can easily recall a year (2013) that failed at several points to gain the expected momentum. The charts tell the “rear view mirror” story, but to understand the pulse of the current M&A market, you need to read between the lines. Throw out the 2012 record breaking year and the monstrous Q4 ’12 as business owners sprinted to the finish line to beat the looming changes in the capital gains tax rate. That’s history; it’s old news.
News From The Middle
Published on: 08/21/2013
The M&A environment improved slightly in Q2 2013 from the previous quarter after record-breaking deal activity in 2012. The increase in Q4 2012 and subsequent decrease in Q1 2013 were expected, as buyers and sellers worked to finalize transactions before the capital gains tax rate increase. Transaction volume should continue to accelerate in 2013 as strategic acquirers and private equity firms focus on new investments, as evidenced by an increase in deal activity of 3.4% from Q1 2013 to Q2 2013.
News From The Middle
Published on: 02/22/2013
2012 is being perceived as a “moderate” year for mergers and acquisitions, with experts citing a lack of highly publicized megadeals. But from our standpoint, firmly entrenched in the U.S. middle market, 2012 was a solid year. Statistics show that the number of transactions valued under $250 million rose 4% in 2012, with over 14,000 announced deals totaling $167 billion in aggregate value. This growth was fueled by healthy balance sheets among strategic suitors, cash rich private equity buyers, and a favorable lending environment.
News From The Middle
Published on: 09/25/2012
Today’s headline story in private equity remains the massive capital overhang – or dry powder as we like to call it – that private equity groups have available for investment purposes. Following record fundraising years in 2006, 2007 and 2008, the overhang, which is the gap between funds raised and equity invested, widened. Although they have been chipping away at the reserve for several years now, private equity firms still have more than $432 billion to invest, and they are actively seeking quality targets for these funds.
News From The Middle
Published on: 06/30/2012
If there is one issue that has permeated Congressional agendas, protester rallies, and presidential debates alike, it is the argument over the appropriate level of taxes for wealthy individuals. With budget deficits looming and “average Americans” continuing to struggle in a tepid economy, the growing sentiment certainly appears to favor tax hikes on the wealthy.

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