Silent Defaults
Impact of SOFR Rate Changes on Portfolio Companies' Fixed Charge Coverage Ratios
November 2024With SOFR at 5%, around 40% of the companies that Lincoln values have an FCCR of one or less. Despite rates coming down, over 30% of companies will still have an FCCR of one or less, but M&A is poised to accelerate.
Fed's Surprise Rate Cut: Balancing Economic Slowdown and Inflation Risks
November 2024In response to a slowing economy, the Fed's unexpected 50 basis point rate cut raises questions about timing and potential inflation resurgence, as concerns linger over whether the cuts are too late or too rapid amidst rising goods prices and economic uncertainty.
Dynamics Driving the Chemicals Market
Specialty Chemicals Transformation
August 2024Specialty chemical providers are thriving, driven by a focus on technology, product differentiation and high-growth markets. However, to stay competitive, companies must prioritize commercial innovation and robust R&D.
Traditional Oil and Gas Companies Leading Charge Toward Sustainability
August 2024Traditional oil and gas companies are leading in green tech innovation. Downstream chemical companies must align with this shift, crafting strong ESG narratives to demonstrate how their goals contribute to sustainability.
European Energy Crunch
August 2024The European energy crunch highlights a shift in the global chemical industry. With less gas from Russia, the U.S. and Asia have a competitive advantage, creating opportunities for companies that effectively navigate this landscape.
Growing Activity in Oil Field Chemicals
August 2024The oil field chemicals sector is experiencing a surge in interest. As a critical component in supporting energy and feedstock needs for a growing global population, this industry is poised for further consolidation.
Takeaways from the Specialty & Ag Chemicals SOCMA Show
August 2024We are seeing strong interest in chemicals sectors that are resilient to changing consumer preferences, particularly water treatment, cleaning and adhesives. These high-value areas offer consolidation and growth opportunities.
The State of M&A
Potential 2024 Black Swan Events
June 2024Several factors—such as a potential interest rate cut, a black swan event, and the U.S. election—may impact deal flow in 2024.
What Will Cause Further Acceleration of Deal Flow?
June 2024In the past year, we've witnessed deal flow, yet there have been fewer closed transactions. This creates a dynamic where sellers struggle to align their expectations with market realities.
When Will Deal Flow Return in Earnest?
June 2024As deal flow reemerges, it’s partially driven by private equity feeling pressure from their limited partners. After 18 to 24 months without capital returns, LPs are now advocating for liquidity events and distributions, a concept commonly referred to as DPI.
The Current State of the Deal Market
June 2024Market activity is returning with cautious optimism. Several deals put on hold in 2023 are going to market in 2024.
Pulse on the Transportation and Logistics Market
Strategic Nearshoring is Essential for Supply Chain Resilience
June 2024Mexico has emerged as America's primary trading partner, surpassing China for the first time in decades. This shifting dynamic underscores the urgency for transportation and logistics providers to scale capabilities.
Which Segments of the Logistics Industry are Most Ripe for M&A Activity?
June 2024There is great interest in logistics subsectors, such as pharma and healthcare, cold chain, and e-commerce. These industries have long-term demand, regardless of economic conditions.
What Factors are Driving M&A Activity in the T&L Sector
June 2024While transportation and logistics mergers and acquisitions slowed from its peak in 2021 and 2022, signs indicate activity is trending up. In Q1, 2024 deal activity surged by over 15% compared to the same period last year.
Previous Releases
Vet Trends - Part Two
February 2024Part one of our Lincoln's Latest: Vet series. Matt Lee, Managing Director in our Healthcare Group, shares the current staffing, financial and regulatory dynamics in the European vet market.
Vet Trends - Part One
February 2024Part one of our Lincoln's Latest: Vet series. Matt Lee, Managing Director in our Healthcare Group, shares the current staffing, financial and regulatory dynamics in the European vet market.
Electric Vehicle Trends
August 2023Lincoln’s automotive and mobility technology professionals share some top trends that are playing a key role in the electric vehicle market’s momentum.
Energy, Power & Infrastructure Trends - Part Three
August 2023Part three of our energy, power and infrastructure (EP&I) series! Lincoln’s professionals share themes within the product, outsourced service provider and software technology subsectors.
Energy, Power & Infrastructure Trends - Part Two
August 2023Part two of our EP&I series! Lincoln’s professionals explore energy storage, renewable energy and trends specific to Europe.
Energy, Power & Infrastructure Trends - Part One
July 2023Part one of our EP&I series! Lincoln’s experts reveal some of the top 2023 global EP&I mega themes impacting the sector.
Cybersecurity Dynamics
April 2023Lincoln’s cybersecurity experts reveal some of the top 2023 cybersecurity themes.
Education Trends
March 2023Lincoln’s education, technology and services professionals share some of the top trends that are leading the education market in 2023.
Succeeding in the Beauty Market
Nov 2022Lincoln’s beauty experts offer brands advice on how to succeed in today’s beauty market.
Q3 2022 Valuation Insights
Nov 2022Lincoln’s Valuations & Opinions Group shares insights into Q3 2022 valuations, including private company enterprise value multiples, third-party M&A buyouts and European revenue, EBITDA growth and margins.
ESG Trends
Nov 2022Lincoln’s environmental, social and governance (ESG) experts share key ESG insights for investors or companies that are looking to buy or sell.
Trends in the Financial Institutions Market
Sep 2022Lincoln's Financial Institutions Group offers a perspective on the key trends that are playing a role in the financial institutions market.
Overview of Pharmaceutical Outsourced Market
Nov 2021James West, Director in Lincoln’s Healthcare Group, gives an overview of the pharmaceutical outsourced market, including global drivers and trends, response from private equity firms and attractive assets for investors within the sector.
Resilient Pet Sector Attracts Increasing Investor Interest Underpinned by Changing Consumer Habits
Apr 2021Listen as members of Lincoln's Consumer Group share their thoughts on the resilient pet sector; identifying the latest trends in investor appetite and key strategies for growth for pet businesses in 2021.
Q1 Valuation Insights and 2021 Forecasts
Mar 2021With over 2,400 portfolio #valuations performed globally by Lincoln International last quarter, our global Valuations & Opinions Group shares insights from this data on EV multiples, EBITDA performance and their forecasts for private company valuations in 2021.
Resilient TMT Sector Drives Increasing Competition and Diversified Investment Strategies
Mar 2021Our TMT colleagues from around the world share insights into trends including artificial intelligence and cybersecurity, as well the latest updates on mergers and acquisitions activity in the sector.
Accelerated Trends in Industrials
Jan 2021Listen to perspectives on various aspects within the Industrials industry, from the safety and survivability in the specialty vehicle market in a COVID and post-COVID world to outbound mergers and acquisitions trends in China.
Accelerated Trends in Debt Advisory
2020Hear perspectives on the debt advisory landscape.
Accelerated Trends in Consumer
2020Hear perspectives on the changing global consumer landscape from opportunities in home living and e-commerce to the evolution of retailers in the face of increasing competition from Amazon.
Accelerated Trends in Business Services
2020Listen to perspectives on key considerations for mergers and acquisitions in business services, including global distribution and supply chain, talent and staffing in the UK and engineering services in the Nordics.
Accelerated Trends in Valuations & Opinions
2020Discover proprietary insights into the impact of COVID-19 on private company valuations to date as well as initial Q4 predictions.
Accelerated Trends in Technology, Media & Telecom
2020Hear insights on navigating rising competition as digital strategies accelerate.
Contributors
I am a rigorous advocate for my clients with a hands-on, communicative approach, focused on delivering intense advocacy and outlier results.
Sean Bennis
Managing Director & Co-head of Industrials
ChicagoI deliver a hands-on approach to provide strategic advice to my clients throughout the transaction and beyond.
Chris Brooks
Managing Director & Co-head of Technology, Europe
LondonI build trust with clients by putting their interests first at all times.
Aude Doyen
Managing Director & Co-head of Capital Advisory, Europe
LondonI enjoy sharing insights about market and valuation trends with my clients, while also leading a differentiated and high-touch process.
Brian Garfield
Managing Director & Head of U.S. Portfolio Valuations
New YorkIt’s extremely rewarding to work in one of the largest and most diverse global business sectors helping support clients to realize their goals.
Matthew Lee
Managing Director, Head of UK & Co-head of Healthcare, Europe
LondonI am driven by the opportunity to provide accurate and thoughtful valuation services that help clients succeed and grow.
Patricia Luscombe
Managing Director & Co-head of Valuations & Opinions
ChicagoAs a trusted advisor, my role is to listen, create options and pursue the path that best achieves a client’s total objectives.
Saurin Mehta
Managing Director & Co-head of Business Services
ChicagoCommunication and critical thinking are paramount to meeting the needs of my clients both today and in their future.
Richard Olson
Managing Director & Head of Valuations, Europe
LondonMy goal is to bring the best of Lincoln to each and every transaction, ensuring the topmost outcomes for our clients.
Roderick O’Neill
Managing Director & Co-head of Healthcare
New YorkI strive to deliver value-added advice, leveraging deep industry knowledge and extensive industry relationships.
Guillaume Suizdak
Managing Director & Co-head of Industrials, Europe
ParisI strive to develop meaningful, trusting, personal and mutually beneficial relationships with our clients.
Curt Tatham
Managing Director & Co-head of FSG
ChicagoWith a commitment to building lasting relationships, I take a bespoke approach to the individual needs of every client I work with, seeking to be their champion, trusted advisor and partner well before, leading up to and throughout any potential transaction that may take place.
Ashleigh Barker
Director
Los AngelesMeet our Senior Team
I am a rigorous advocate for my clients with a hands-on, communicative approach, focused on delivering intense advocacy and outlier results.
Sean Bennis
Managing Director & Co-head of Industrials
ChicagoI am enthusiastic about creating sustainable growth and the highest value for our clients and strive to leave a positive footprint beyond any successful M&A transaction.
Friedrich Bieselt
Managing Director & Head of Business Services, Europe
FrankfurtI enjoy leading clients and realizing their objectives, while structuring solutions to issues that are both intriguing and challenging.
Øyvind Bjordal
Managing Director | Head of Switzerland
ZurichRecent Perspectives
Lincoln’s Latest
Lincoln’s Latest video series features experts from across industries, services and geographies, sharing perspectives on current trends, recent observations and future outlooks.
Media Digest: Q3 2023 Lincoln Private Market Index
Our Valuations & Opinions Group recently discussed findings from the Q3 2023 Lincoln Private Market Index with several publications. Terminal CFO LevFin Insights PE Professional Pitchbook Axios Blackstone
Middle Market Musings Podcast
Originally posted by Middle Market Musings in October 2023. Chief Executive Officer Rob Brown offers a perspective on how private equity and the firm have developed over the course of… Read More
European Market Buzz: Emerging Trends
The European market is bustling with a myriad of activities and developments. Richard Olson, Managing Director in Lincoln’s Valuations & Opinions Group, discussed some of these dynamics with several publications.… Read More
pemacom | Outlook for the German M&A Market in 2023
Originally published by pemacom on September, 19, 2023. 1. Challenging Economic Environment Following a weak second half of 2022, the number of M&A deals will continue to decline in… Read More
The Lead Left Webinar | Navigating the 2023 M&A Landscape
Originally posted by The Lead Left on October 9, 2023. Christine Tiseo, Managing Director and co-head of Lincoln’s Capital Advisory Group, recently participated on a panel where industry experts discussed… Read More
Investors Seek Protection in the Safety Workwear Market
The safety workwear industry is a highly resilient and very attractive market that covers all personal protective equipment from head to toe, including helmets, goggles, gloves, shoes, protective clothing and… Read More
Riding the Sound Waves – Key Trends in the Audio Industry
The audio equipment industry, a sub-sector of the $263 billion global professional audio/visual (AV) market, is a large, diversified and resilient sector that is projected to grow significantly over coming… Read More
Cybersecurity: Zeroing in on Current and Future Trends
As we enter the second half of the year, the state of cybersecurity is coming into sharper focus following a tumultuous 2022. Here are Lincoln International’s key observations and predictions.… Read More
Leading Indicators Show Declining Ability to Service Debt
According to Lincoln International’s proprietary private market database, maintained by Lincoln’s Valuations & Opinions Group, highly leveraged, privately-held companies are feeling the pinch as rising interest rates begin to take… Read More
How Consumer Products & Services Companies Are Viewing M&A Outlook for 2023
In today’s dealmaking environment, uncertainty and caution reign supreme. Consumer confidence has seen declines as high inflation and recession fears dominate. At the same time, investors continue to look for… Read More
PitchBook | Fixed Charge Coverage Shrinking on Midsized Companies – Lincoln
Originally posted by PitchBook on May 9, 2023. Rising interest rates are negatively impacting borrowers in the middle market. Christine Tiseo, Managing Director and co-head of Lincoln’s Capital Advisory Group,… Read More
Plant-based Alternatives are Poised for Growth
Lincoln International was pleased to host the Plant-based Potential: The Rapid Rise of Alternative Foods and Growth Opportunities Ahead panel at the Food & Drink Expo in Birmingham, UK. During… Read More
Beauty Outlook: Optimism for an Attractive 2023
Many investors are eyeing the year ahead for the beauty and personal care industry as it is ripe for accelerated growth due to several factors. 2022 had a key focus… Read More
Home Health and Hospice is an Evolving M&A Environment
Lincoln International participated in Farragut Square Group’s Home Health, Hospice and Personal Care webinar on February 28, 2023. During the webinar, alongside a group of fellow industry experts, we shared… Read More
European M&A Outlook: Four Deal Drivers for 2023 and Beyond
After a record-setting 2021, mergers and acquisitions (M&A) activity in 2022 was poised for a normalization, yet it still hovered near pre-pandemic levels for total deal value. Following the retrench… Read More
Private Equity International | How Private Equity Valuations Measure Up
Originally posted by Private Equity International on February 28, 2023. Private equity firms have been navigating market volatility for the past 12 to 18 months, and public market valuations have… Read More
Private Equity International | Covenant Breaches Trend Upward as GPs Navigate Uncertainty
Originally posted by Private Equity International on February 22, 2023. According to the Lincoln PMI (LPMI), private equity (PE) firms and their portfolio companies are becoming increasingly concerned about financial… Read More
CFO | Earnings Multiples for PE-Backed Firms Fall for 7th Straight Quarter
Originally posted by CFO on February 22, 2023. For private companies, a modest increase in EBITDA kept their valuations from declining in Q4 2022. In fact, the Lincoln PMI (LPMI)… Read More
IPEM | Event: Cannes 2023
Lincoln International was pleased to attend IPEM Cannes 2023 from January 23 to 25. The event provided attendees the opportunity to connect with other professionals in the private capital markets,… Read More
The Lead Left | Webinar: 2023 M&A Outlook
Lincoln International is pleased to have participated in The Lead Left Presents: 2023 M&A Outlook, a webinar discussing market activity and expectations for the coming year. A few key takeaways… Read More
Whither Cybersecurity Deal Activity in 2023?
Don More, Managing Director in Lincoln International’s Technology, Media & Telecom Group, recently attended Evolution Equity Partners’ Annual Investor Day in New York to discuss the capital markets and cybersecurity… Read More
The Business of Fashion | Beauty’s Top M&A Targets
Originally posted by The Business of Fashion on January 23, 2023. Ashleigh Barker, Director in Lincoln’s Consumer Group, shares how leading beauty companies are well positioned to capitalize on the… Read More
UK Hospitality: Unlocking Hidden Value
The hospitality industry has experienced several challenges over the last few years, which at times has led to valuation concerns amongst investors. However, an opportunity presents for businesses to attract… Read More
The Loadstar | Takeover Talk: Mid-sized Deals to Power 2023 M&A Activity
Originally published by The Loadstar on December 23, 2022. Dirk Engelmann and Gaurang Shastri, Managing Directors in Lincoln’s Business Services Group, share their expectations for logistics and transportation mergers and… Read More