Here is what experts predict for business sales and acquisitions for 2016:

 

1. "Choppy markets" for transactions - it's an election year and though entertaining, no idea what's going to happen. Uncertainty creates turbulence which creates indecision, only natural.

 

2. Interest rates - depends on the Fed. Expectations are for a slow rise but not hateful.

 

3. Inflation - remains low mostly due to low energy costs and international (ie China) slowdown.

 

4. Energy - renewable energy is hot, oil and gas isn't. Other hot sectors are retail and security.

 

5. Strategic acquisitions - pace of business acquisitions will continue especially for companies in the high and low ends of the mid-market.

 

6. Valuations (deal prices) - may temporarily rise, though certain cyclical sectors like tech and consumer discretionary spending are in the later stages of growth and hence, valuations will taper off. Acquisition of companies in the middle of the mid-market will become more attractive, greater growth potential, therefore, more valuable to buyers.

 

7. Mid-market transactions - 2015 was a good year and that will carry over to the early part of 2016. Predictions are that 2016 will be decent, just not as good as 2015.