As we reach the tail end of Q1 2026, the market is no longer a monolith. The "Great Separation" has created two distinct groups of acquirers, each looking at your business through a completely different lens. If
The first quarter of 2026 brought cautious improvement to the drilling oil and gas wells industry. Activity levels strengthened from late 2025, but operators continued to balance new project opportunities against commodity price uncertainty, regulatory questions, and
The construction industry opened 2026 with a cautious but active market. Total U.S. construction spending was reported at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $2.19 trillion in January 2026, down slightly from December 2025 but still near
Landscaping and lawn care businesses entered 2026 with improving demand, but owners continued to manage rising labor costs, cautious consumer spending, and higher operating expenses. Green industry operators benefited from homeowners focusing on maintenance, curb appeal, and
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.
