The janitorial services industry entered Q1 2026 in a steady but selective market environment. After a period of recalibration in the broader cleaning and hygiene sector, business owners continued to manage tighter customer budgets, elevated labor costs,
The fabrication manufacturing sector entered 2026 with a cautious but active market tone. Metal service center data showed softness early in the year, with U.S. steel shipments down 4.5% year over year in February and aluminum shipments
Beyond the Spreadsheet: How to Value a Business That Owns No Trucks, No Inventory, and No Real Estate In 2026, the M&A market is seeing a massive surge in the "Asset-Light" sector. If you are selling a
The staffing and recruiting market entered Q1 2026 with cautious momentum. After a soft 2025 labor market, January payrolls rebounded by 130,000 jobs, while temporary help services added 9,100 jobs and the temporary agency penetration rate held
The Great Separation: Why Some Businesses are Selling for 10x While Others Stall As we enter March 2026, the M&A headlines are telling two very different stories. On one side, we see "Average" businesses, those still operating
The gap between average and premium transactions is widening. Across multiple sectors, we’re seeing two very different outcomes for businesses that, at first glance, appear similar in size and profitability. Some are trading within predictable middle-market ranges.
Most business owners think they know what their company is worth. They look at their P&L, apply a standard industry multiple, and call it a day. But in 2026, that "manual" approach is leaving millions on the
The deal closed, the wire hit, and everything looked exactly the way he’d imagined. Three months later, he called and said, “I’m miserable. I don’t know who I am without the business.” He had planned the sale
The financials were strong. The buyer was qualified. The offer was fair. Everything was lined up for closing. Then, two days before the finish line, the seller paused. “I’m not sure I’m ready,” he said. Twenty years
Most owners think they’re ready to sell once they have a valuation, a few interested buyers, and a general sense of timing. But readiness is never that simple. It becomes clear the moment a buyer starts asking
