Main Street M&A Market Rebounds as Small Business Dealmakers Adapt to Macro Headwinds, DealStream Survey Reveals
Small business buyers, sellers, and intermediaries reported a significant rebound in market confidence during the third quarter of 2026, according to the latest Member Confidence Survey released by DealStream. Following a year-high peak in negative sentiment in Q2, economic sentiment improved markedly, with respondents describing current economic conditions as "bad" dropping 12.3 percentage points to 28.8%.
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“What stands out this quarter is not a dramatic shift in market conditions, but a shift in market expectations,” said Robert Brauns, CEO and Founder of DealStream. “Buyers and sellers appear to have accepted that higher financing costs and tighter lending standards are part of today's landscape, and they're finding ways to move transactions forward. That's a positive sign for the health and resilience of the Main Street M&A market.”
The survey of approximately 420 active market participants highlights a resilient small business transaction environment. Nearly half of respondents (45.4%) expect business sales volume to increase over the next six months. While 38% of participants still view conditions as favoring buyers, sellers gained leverage, signaling a gradual trend toward negotiating parity.
