Prior PE Optimism Fades with Slow First Half, Law360
July 02, 2026Law360 quoted partner Christina Melendi in an article examining private equity (PE) dealmaking activity in the first half of 2026.
The article explores how persistent market volatility and a valuation gap between buyers and sellers continue to weigh on transactions, even as capital remains available and quality assets come to market. Christina noted that sponsors are increasingly turning to creative deal structures, including co-investment vehicles, rollover structures, and earnouts, to bridge valuation differences and complete transactions. “I would say that market environment certainly gained some traction in the first half of the year, but there was a lot of optimism, and I don’t think it quite measured up to what everyone thought it was going to be,” Christina said. “There is capital in the market, and there are deals in the market. Good assets are going out to market, but it’s a really selective market in terms of what deals are able to get done right now.”