The Fed’s efforts to rein in inflation from early 2022 through the middle of 2023 also reined in middle market M&A activity. Middle market transaction data provider GF Data reported data on 269 sub-$500 million acquisitions by private equity firms in 2023, compared to 464 such deals in 2021 (a 42% decrease). Some of those “missing” deals may never happen, but we suspect most were simply deferred, leading to more robust transaction volumes as buyers and sellers acclimate to the new “normal” interest rate environment.
Home Depot’s recent announcement that it was acquiring roofing and construction material distributor SRS Distribution may signal the return of more robust deal activity. Even if your family business has nothing to do with construction materials, there is plenty to note in this deal.