: Buyers are moving away from acquiring simply for size; instead, 73% of incremental deal value is now focused on acquiring new capabilities, particularly AI integration and digital infrastructure.

: A sharp divergence has emerged where large, well-capitalized buyers are driving megadeals (over $5B), while the mid-market remains constrained by valuation gaps and execution risks.

: 66% of acquirers now prioritize recurring revenue as the top characteristic when evaluating targets, followed closely by strong margin profiles and defensible cashflow.

: While sentiment is at a six-year high, dealmakers remain cautious about trade/tariff policies and "regulatory volatility" as major obstacles to closing deals. Market Summary

: Seeing a surge in consolidation, particularly in the Middle East and the fragmented US banking market.

: Identified by advisors as a top-performing sector for 2026 due to low reliance on volatile supply chains. Buyer Priorities & Risks