Insights
Statistical analysis and insight into activity and trends in M&A and capital markets.

Recent Investment Banking Insights
M&A Evaluation Framework: Weighing Opportunities and Developing an Actionable Pipeline
There’s more than one way to grow a business, with inorganic growth—i.e., acquiring another company—an avenue that founder-owned businesses could consider, especially given the broad correction in valuation levels.
Read moreIs the Secondary Market About to Return to Normal?
In this quarterly update, William Blair’s Private Capital Advisory team outlines the encouraging signs in the secondaries landscape, hopes for Q4, creative solutions, and what to expect from GP-Led secondary transactions.
Read moreDelivering on the Promise of Your Generational Wealth
Executives and their advisors involved in a major business transition need to think through some big questions, about their families, their philanthropic goals, their tax implications—and their appetite for risk.
Watch the videoBuilding a Strong Investment Banking Network
Christina Bresani joins The Wall Street Lab podcast to explain the role of corporate advisory and its responsibilities in mergers and acquisitions, the changing landscape of friendly and hostile takeovers, and the need for valuable relationships with clients. She also discusses her background, breaking into the industry, and the importance of networking.
Read morePositive Signs Emerge in the Leveraged Finance Market but a Resurgence Remains Elusive
U.S. institutional leveraged loan volume remained flat in the second quarter and positively, loan volume tied to M&A increased quarter-over-quarter for the first time in almost two years.
Read moreA Successful Company Sale—with the Help of a Founder-Focused Investor
See how a partnering with founder-focused investor resulted in the company's EBITDA growing more than 10-fold.
Read moreAviation Services Industry Update
While business jet activity remains higher than pre-pandemic levels, total operations have stabilized just shy of 2022.
Read moreKey Insights About Non-Control Transactions and Governance Matters
Founder-owned companies often partner with minority-preferred stock investors to raise growth capital.
Read moreThe Quarterly Rx: Q2 2023 U.S. Biopharma Recap
Biopharma markets closed the first half of 2023 with renewed optimism and an encouraging outlook for the rest of the year.
Read moreHow the Increasing Demand for Innovation Impacts Investment Strategies in the National Security Sector
As the nature of global conflict shifts from decentralized action against non-state actors to state-on-state competition, new technology and new use cases for existing technology are emerging.
Read moreOne Year In: The Delayed Impact of Higher Rates and the Re-Emergence of PIK
Despite the Federal Reserve apparently nearing the end of its rate-hiking phase, borrowers likely haven’t yet felt the full impact of rapidly rising interest rates.
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