Buy Side M&a -

: 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

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

The highlights a resurgent buy-side market, with global deal values reaching $4.7 trillion in late 2025, driven by an urgent need for business reinvention through AI and geographic expansion. Key Buy-Side Trends for 2026 buy side m&a

: 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.

: KPMG predicts 2026 will be defined by carve-outs, as 50% of respondents expect to use separations to simplify operating models and unlock capital for reinvestment. Sector Leaders : : While sentiment is at a six-year high,

: AI has moved from a "buzzword" to mandatory due diligence; buyers now use AI-driven synergy forecasting to achieve up to 90% accuracy in value modeling.

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

: 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.