Reports
2025 U.S. Private Equity
Middle-Market Annual Report
Key Trends & 2026 Outlook
After several years of disruption, the U.S. middle-market private equity market is entering a more disciplined phase. Deal activity is stabilizing, financing conditions are improving, and sponsors are refocusing on operational execution, technology-enabled value creation, and resilient platforms.
The 2025 Annual Middle-Market Private Equity Report from E78 analyzes the macro, sector, and regional forces shaping deal activity—and what they mean for sponsors, operators, and advisors navigating a more selective investment environment.
What You’ll Learn
In this report, you’ll gain insight into:
- How financing normalization and narrowing bid-ask spreads are influencing deal execution
- Where capital is concentrating by sector, deal size, and region
- Why larger middle-market platforms are proving more resilient than mid-tier deals
- How sponsors are prioritizing Operational Alpha and technology-enabled value creation
- What the evolving macro and credit environment signals for 2026 deal activity
Key Themes Covered
- Macroeconomic Outlook: Late-cycle stabilization, easing inflation, and improving credit conditions
- Deal Size Dynamics: A bifurcated market driven by financing access and asset quality
- Sector Trends: B2B services, technology, healthcare, financial services, and consumer
- Regional Insights: Diverging performance across the Southeast, Mid-Atlantic, Great Lakes, and beyond
- 2026 Outlook: Where deal momentum is expected to build—and where selectivity remains critical
Who This Report Is For
- Private equity sponsors and investment teams
- Portfolio company executives and operators
- Corporate development and strategy leaders
- Lenders, advisors, and middle-market executives
Download the 2025 Annual Middle-Market Private Equity Report
Get the insights you need to understand how the middle-market private equity landscape is evolving—and how to position for disciplined growth in 2026.
Download the report today
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