Optimism ahead: Chartered Business Valuators Institute’s M&A Outlook Survey Points to a Fundamentals Driven Rebound

Responses from CBVs indicate a broad-based recovery, with healthcare, industrial, consumer, and technology sectors all demonstrating strong and stable deal expectations

TORONTO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Chartered Business Valuators Institute (“CBV Institute” or “the Institute”), a not-for-profit valuation professional organization providing training and accreditation in business valuation and leading the Chartered Business Valuator (CBV) profession, released today the results of its 2026 M&A Outlook Survey which is conducted among CBV Institute Members active in M&A transactions in 2025.

With capital costs remaining elevated and inflation continuing to fluctuate, the Institute’s 2026 M&A Outlook Survey points to a fundamentals-driven, domestically anchored, and strategically motivated M&A environment, with nearly six in ten (59 per cent) respondents anticipating an increase in M&A activity in 2026, signaling measured optimism and a stabilizing deal landscape.

"Rather than reflecting an overheated or crisis-driven cycle, the findings suggest that 2026 is shaping up as a period of disciplined, strategic deal-making," said Dr. Christine Sawchuk, MEd, EdD, CPA, CA, CBV, President & CEO, CBV Institute. "CBVs expect to see M&A efforts align with broader efforts to strengthen domestic economic resilience and business competitiveness."

Strong Domestic Momentum, Mixed Cross-Border Outlook

Domestic M&A activity is expected to remain strong in 2026, with 59 per cent of respondents anticipating continued momentum in Canadian transactions.

Views on cross-border M&A, however, are more mixed. While 41 per cent of CBVs predict increased cross-border activity involving Canadian companies, 30 per cent expect activity to decline. This split reflects ongoing geopolitical and global market uncertainty, which continues to influence international deal-making.

Broad-Based Sector Recovery Reflects Balanced Market Conditions

Survey responses also point to a diversified recovery across multiple sectors, with healthcare, industrial, consumer, and technology segments all demonstrating strong combined stability and growth expectations.

Among those with a view, the majority of respondents anticipate stable or increased activity across the materials (95 per cent), industrial (88 per cent), technology (88 per cent), and energy (87 per cent) sectors.

Private Equity, Private Companies, and Family Offices Remain Key Market Participants

Respondents anticipate that both buying and selling decisions will remain grounded in long-term strategy and disciplined capital deployment.

• Buyers: Among those with a view, over half (52 per cent) of respondents expect private equity firms to see increased transaction activity in 2026, the highest among buyer groups, followed by public companies (42 per cent) and family offices (40 per cent).
• Sellers: Among those with a view, a majority of respondents expect increased selling activity from private companies (54 per cent), with corporate carve-outs (30 per cent) also anticipating higher activity.

Overall, respondents anticipate that activity, both buying and selling, will be driven by strategic decision-making in mature companies, rather than transactions driven by insolvency or distress.

Broad Capital Participation Reflects Confidence and Prudence

The survey suggests that no single buyer class is expected to dominate the market in 2026. Private companies (91 per cent), private equity firms (85 per cent), public companies (76 per cent), and family offices (76 per cent) are all expected to remain active participants. This broad-based engagement reflects the availability of capital across the Canadian business community, combined with a heightened focus on prudent investment and risk management.

“Amidst a backdrop of cautious optimism and heightened scrutiny, there is opportunity in the noise,” said Mackenzie Regent, Director, CBV Institute Board of Directors and Managing Partner, Kalos LLP. “Creative structuring and disciplined risk‑mitigation strategies are uncovering value and enabling continued capital deployment despite prevailing uncertainty.”

Survey Methodology

The 2026 M&A Outlook Survey was conducted by CBV Institute between January 16, 2026, and January 31, 2026. The online survey was completed by CBV Institute’s Members who were involved in M&A activity in 2025.

About CBV Institute

CBV Institute is a not-for-profit accreditation body and professional oversight organization leading the Chartered Business Valuator profession, Canada’s only designation dedicated to business valuation since 1971.

CBV Institute takes pride in its rigorous training and accreditation standards. With 4,000 members and registered students across Canada and around the world, the Institute is dedicated to advancing the profession in the public interest and upholding the highest standards of business valuation practice through education, accreditation and governance.

For more information on CBV Institute, visit: www.cbvinstitute.com

About the CBV Designation

The Chartered Business Valuator (CBV) designation is a globally recognized business valuation accreditation and the benchmark of excellence in the profession. Holders of the prestigious CBV designation have the skills and expertise to meet the challenging and ever-evolving dynamics and complexities of business valuation. The integrity of the CBV designation is grounded in CBV Institute’s world-class Program of Studies and Membership Qualification Examination. Stringent Institute standards are upheld through annual professional requirements, including adherence to a Code of Ethics, participation in a practice inspection program, and continuing professional development requirements.

CBVs are internationally recognized by Courts, tribunals, and securities regulators as experts in business valuation and related financial matters.

For more on the CBV accreditation, visit: www.cbvinstitute.com/become-a-cbv/

Find a CBV through the CBV Institute Membership Directory: https://cbvinstitute.com/find/