City Capital Advisors

10/14/2026

Higher financing costs and constrained leverage capacity are narrowing the historical valuation gap between private equity sponsors and strategic acquirers. According to PitchBook’s Q3 2026 Global M&A Report, the median valuation premium paid by PE buyers over strategic acquirers fell to 2.0x EBITDA year-to-date (10.9x vs. 8.9x) - its narrowest spread since 2023. As elevated borrowing costs limit leveraged buyout capacity, cash-rich corporate buyers utilizing equity currency and balance sheet liquidity accounted for nearly 68% of total M&A deal value through September, driving active consolidation across core sectors.

Financing costs are narrowing the multiple gap between PE and strategic buyers.

10/08/2026

Private equity add-on strategies are undergoing a fundamental shift as sponsors move away from traditional multiple-arbitrage roll-ups in favor of larger, more transformative acquisitions. According to recent analysis from Mergers & Acquisitions, rising valuations for smaller targets and the operational complexities of integrating fragmented businesses are driving fund managers to pursue larger add-ons that deliver immediate strategic capabilities, scale, and cost synergies. In a market where integration ex*****on risk can erode value, acquirers are prioritizing target quality, technological alignment, and revenue acceleration over pure purchase-price arbitrage.

Higher acquisition multiples are forcing private equity firms to demand more strategic value from add-ons.

10/06/2026

Global private equity exit activity experienced a sharp rebound in the third quarter of 2026, driven by a surge in high-value realizations. According to PitchBook's Q3 Global PE First Look report, global exit value increased 65% quarter-over-quarter to $481.6 billion - marking the highest quarterly total since mid-2021 - while overall transaction volume reached 1,089 completed sales. Alongside a steady 7.8% gain in global deal value to $499.2 billion, smaller transactions served as the primary source of deployment for sponsors seeking disciplined check sizes. The quarter highlights sustained buyer interest in lower-market assets as well as expanding liquidity options for institutional sponsors.

The First Looks are a preliminary release of top-line private equity industry figures for the global, US, European, and Asia-Pacific markets, intended as a first-to-market source of key datasets and findings.

10/01/2026

Navigating middle-market transactions in an increasingly interconnected global economy requires access to international capital pools and strategic acquirers beyond domestic borders. City Capital Advisors combines boutique, high-touch ex*****on with global transaction marketing capabilities to identify and engage qualified buyers and capital partners across North America, Europe, and Asia.

Our Managing Directors structure cross-border transaction processes that expand competitive tension, optimize valuation dynamics, and navigate regulatory and cross-border complexities for middle-market owners. Explore our global advisory capabilities and track record at city-cap.com.

09/29/2026

We are pleased to release our newsletter covering Healthcare Services Insights for the 2nd quarter of 2026: https://city-cap.com/healthcare-services-newsletter-2q2026/

For more insights on the Healthcare Services industry, reach out to Matt Phillips, Managing Director & Healthcare Services Group Head, at [email protected] or (312) 494-9889.

09/25/2026

For middle-market business owners, running a successful sell-side M&A process requires maintaining complete confidentiality while keeping leadership focused on day-to-day operations.

City Capital Advisors manages highly disciplined transaction processes designed to minimize operational disruption. From preparing confidential offering materials to pre-screening candidates and structuring management presentations, our Managing Directors handle the heavy lifting of deal management. This rigorous approach allows leadership teams to maintain business performance while we negotiate transaction terms that maximize value. city-cap.com

09/23/2026

Middle-market M&A requires deep, nuanced domain expertise to accurately position specialized businesses and target the right strategic and financial acquirers. City Capital Advisors maintains dedicated coverage across several industry sectors, including Business Services, Consumer Products & Services, Food & Beverage, Healthcare Products & Services, Industrial Growth & Building Products, and Technology. By pairing tailored transaction ex*****on with deep sector knowledge, our Managing Directors effectively translate operational strengths into compelling market narratives that drive competitive buyer dynamics. Explore our industry-specific transaction track record at city-cap.com.

09/22/2026

While mega-cap private credit funds concentrate capital into large-scale transactions, middle-market borrowers face an evolving lender landscape. According to PitchBook analysis published in September 2026, global private debt fundraising reached new highs in H1, yet direct lending deployment in the middle market remains highly selective. With pricing spreads shifting between private credit funds and commercial bank facilities, structuring an optimal capital raise requires a deep understanding of current lender underwriting criteria and market clearing terms.

Credit funds of $5 billion or larger accounted for 57% of H1 fundraising, though PE sponsors are increasingly turning to banks for better-priced loans.

09/17/2026

Recent PitchBook data reveals a major shift in private equity capital allocation, with sponsors moving down market to capture attractive entry multiples and execute add-on strategies. In Q2 2026, transactions in the $25 million to $100 million enterprise value range increased by 70.6% in total deal value, contrasting sharply with contraction across larger deal sizes. For middle-market business owners, this shift creates an active environment of motivated institutional buyers seeking durable, cash-generative platforms. https://pitchbook.com/news/articles/middle-market-pe-firms-move-down-market-in-search-of-value

09/14/2026

Navigating a capital raise for an expanding middle-market enterprise requires balancing dilutive equity against debt service requirements. City Capital Advisors assists high-growth middle-market companies in structuring and executing capital raises tailored to specific expansion goals, shareholder liquidity needs, or acquisition financing. Having completed over 100 capital formation offerings in the public and private institutional markets, our Managing Directors leverage deep relationships across private equity and institutional lenders to secure optimal hybrid debt and equity structures without disrupting day-to-day operations.

Discover our equity and debt capital formation capabilities at city-cap.com.