Each year, Caber Hill Advisors surveys private equity professionals to understand the trends, expectations and priorities shaping M&A activity.
The results provide business owners, investors and advisors with a clearer view of where the market is headed.
Middle Market M&A Survey
of Private Equity Partners for 2026-27
Help shape the conversation around what’s next for the middle market.
Introduction:
The middle market continues to evolve as private equity investors navigate shifting deal dynamics, economic pressures, and new forces shaping investment decisions. Our survey of Private Equity partners for the 2026–27 period looks back at how the M&A market performed in 2026, how that performance compared with expectations, and where investors believe the market is headed in 2027.
As firms look to the year ahead, deal structures, financing conditions, valuations, competition, and broader economic factors remain important considerations. At the same time, AI is emerging as a significant factor in M&A, influencing investment theses, changing the attractiveness of potential targets, and creating different opportunities and risks across sectors.
This report outlines the state of the market, the forecasts for the year ahead, and the investment priorities shaping 2027, including target sectors, acquisition criteria, and the growing role of AI in private equity decision-making.
What’s Covered in the 2026 Report:
• 2026 Recap
• 2027 Forecast
• Deal Structures
• Concerns
• Opportunities
• AI’s Impact
• Investment Strategy
• Target Criteria
• Key Actions
Stay tuned for insights from our 2026–27 survey.
