The results of DealStream’s Q2 2026 Member Confidence Survey indicate increased deal activity is expected in sectors typically viewed as safe havens during periods of economic uncertainty. Energy & Utilities (37.8%), Business Services (37.4%), and Construction & Contractors (35.6%) are the hottest sectors in the view of the survey’s respondents over the next six months.
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“The turmoil of the Iran war and the resulting spike in energy costs has started to cast a shadow over the Main Street M&A market,” said Robert Brauns, CEO and Founder of DealStream. “Despite these headwinds, buyers remain extremely motivated and deal flow is still healthy. The Main Street segment of the economy is an early bellwether of economic sentiment and DealStream’s latest survey demonstrates the M&A market isn’t slowing, but evolving.”
While the appetite for acquisitions remains high, members expressed a cautious outlook on the broader economy. More than 41% of respondents rated current economic conditions as “Bad,” while 42.6% viewed them as “Normal.” This mixed sentiment extends to market favorability, with 42.6% of participants viewing the current environment as neutral, and 37.5% believing it favors buyers.
Looking ahead, the survey highlights some potential headwinds for the M&A landscape. A majority of respondents (56.4%) expect financing to become harder to obtain in the coming months. Furthermore, 42.5% anticipate that interest rates will remain steady, while 21.3% predict a rise. Despite these challenges, deal volume optimism persists, as 44.1% of members expect the number of businesses sold to rise.
Conversely, pricing expectations are cooling. More than 37.8% of participants predict that selling prices will fall in the near term. This data suggests a market in transition, where high buyer demand may eventually meet adjusted valuations as financing conditions tighten.
About DealStream
DealStream (formerly MergerNetwork) is a global online marketplace for buying and selling businesses, real estate, capital, and professional services. With hundreds of thousands of members worldwide, DealStream connects entrepreneurs, investors, and advisors to opportunities across industries and markets.
For more information, read DealStream’s Q2 2026 Market Survey Report.
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