GPP Dealmakers Survey: 2026

Ahead of 38th Annual Tulane University Law School Corporate Law Institute, Gladstone Place Partners conducted its annual survey of dealmakers from January 30 to March 2, 2026.
Among the highlights from our nearly 100 respondents:

• Optimism on Deal Activity: 51% of respondents believe M&A will be “up modestly” in 2026, while 20% expect it will be “up sharply.”
• Deal Drivers: Respondents believe Private Equity (27%), along with Horizontal Integration (26%) and Vertical Integration (24%), will drive dealmaking this year.
• Industries Ripe for M&A: Consistent with last year’s predictions, Technology and Healthcare/Pharma/Biotech topped the list.
• Macro Factors: The Trump Administration and the stock market are expected to have the most significant impact on dealmaking this year.
• M&A-Driven Activism: M&A demands are expected to be the most prominent trend during the 2026 proxy season.

At the conference, the sunny New Orleans skies were matched by dealmakers’ bullish M&A outlooks – consistent with our survey results. Panelists predicted the return of mega-deals and that we are in the most dynamic and active environment in several decades. Finally, we are grateful for the all-star “M&A and The Media” panel, featuring David Faber, Lauren Thomas, Matt Levine, and Steven Solomon, hosted by Steven Lipin.

Click here to view survey results