Reports and Guides

Firmex Forecast: Middle Market Deal Trends Q4 2024

An in-depth look at middle market deals, outlining the changes advisors have seen over the last six months and what they anticipate going into the new year.

By Firmex

Firmex Forecast is the second part of our reimagined deal trends research project to serve middle-market M&A advisors. Over 200 M&A practitioners globally have contributed their perspectives and commentary.

Firmex Forecast Q4 2024 Highlights

  • Merger advisors serving the middle market expect a strong rebound in activity next year. 35% say deal volume in the first half of 2025 will be above average. For the last half of 2024, only 20% of advisors said volume was above average, and 38% said it was below average.
  • Dealmaking is still tough. Deals take longer to negotiate, and more fall apart before completion than usual. Few advisors see the process getting smoother next year.
  • 39% of advisors say valuations are below average, a less optimistic view than in our survey last year. 
  • Sellers have outnumbered buyers in the market in 2024, but advisors expect a more even balance in the coming year as the number of participants on both sides of the deal increases.

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