Q1 2024 – Quarterly Market Recap
- The middle market M&A sector is experiencing renewed activity, driven by improved financial markets, slowing inflation, and anticipated reductions in interest rates. Distribution M&A activity in the US had a robust start to the year, increasing by 15.8% in Q1-24 compared to Q1-23. This growth is largely attributed to strong corporate balance sheets and improving CEO confidence in macroeconomic conditions.
- Strategic acquirers retained their status as the largest source of buyer deal flow as elevated financing costs continue to hamper financial investors’ ability to consummate deals and push them to more selective acquisitions of high-quality assets. Globally, financial buyers closed ten deals domestically in Q1-24, slightly down from twelve deals in Q1-23.
- The overall outlook for 2024 middle market M&A activity in the distribution sector remains positive. This optimism is driven by fragmented markets ripe for industry consolidation, improvements in supply chains, and the sector’s resilience in times of uncertainty.
Read Distribution M&A Pulse Q1 2024 Full Report
