Middle Market Weekly Outlook

Last week was a turbulent one for the energy markets, with oil prices plummeting to below $36 a barrel. The Wall Street Journal reports that “price distress will force M&A” next year, with some energy companies looking for “creative deals” instead of being forced to sell off assets.

In addition, a recent report on middle market M&A reports that mid-market lenders are “cautiously optimistic,” with “robust” leverage appetite “for companies with attractive credit profiles.”

Insights

• Gender equality can be a competitive advantage for PE firms
• The middle class is no longer the majority in the U.S.
• Clinton proposes a new exit tax
• PE sits out of M&A madness
• Private equity is earning its keep
• Single family offices drawn to PE
• PE vs. activist hedge funds
• PE plenty holds danger  

Transactions

• TSG Consumer Partners closes “substantially overscribed” funds
• Blue Corporate Finance and Quarton Partners combine to become Quarton International
• TenGram invests in Cos Bar
• Scottish Equity Partners invests in Peppermint Technology
• Clearview Capital exits Senior Care
• Gryphon Investors recaps Washing Care
• Paine & Partners acquires AgBiTech
• HalYard Capital sells EducationDynamics

This Week in History… America’s first savings bank, the Provident Institution for Savings, is incorporated.