CGK Business Sales Blog

The impact of tariffs and small business valuations in 2026 has become one of the most urgent topics for business owners considering a sale, merger, or acquisition. At CGK Business Sales, we have watched a year of dramatic tariff reversals create both anxiety and opportunity in the lower and middle ...

The escalating conflict in Iran has driven crude oil prices past $100 per barrel for the first time in years, sending shockwaves through global markets and forcing businesses of every size to reassess their cost structures. For owners of small and lower-middle-market companies, the connection between rising oil prices and ...

Recent turbulence in technology and software stocks has sparked renewed debate about how artificial intelligence will reshape entire industries. As public investors reassess valuations and risk, the conversation around AI stock market selloff and small business acquisitions is becoming increasingly relevant. When volatility shakes confidence in public equities, some capital ...

Understanding buyer priorities in 2026 M&A will be one of the most important factors influencing how, when, and at what value small and lower-middle-market business owners are able to exit. As strategic and financial buyers adjust their acquisition strategies in response to changing economic conditions, sellers who recognize these shifts ...

This article examines the key forces expected to shape small and lower-middle-market M&A activity in 2026, from shifting buyer behavior and private equity participation to changes in financing and valuation expectations. It outlines what business owners should anticipate if they are considering a sale and highlights the strategic steps sellers ...

Private equity is not just pursuing big deals anymore. The shift toward buying smaller companies has become one of the most important trends shaping the 2026 M&A landscape. For owners of small and lower middle market businesses, understanding private equity interest in small businesses is essential to positioning your company ...

Federal funding gaps, agency furloughs, and delays in government services may seem distant from your day-to-day operations. But when you are preparing to sell your business, the ripple effects of a government shutdown can meaningfully impact financing, buyer confidence, contract timing, and ultimately your valuation. Understanding these effects now gives ...

Selling a business is rarely just about timing or finding the right buyer. It is about being ready for the moment when opportunity appears. For small and lower middle market business owners, proper business sale preparation is the single most reliable way to increase buyer interest, shorten the deal cycle, ...

In the world of business exits, timing isn’t just a factor, it can be the difference between an excellent deal and a mediocre one. For small and lower-middle-market business owners, understanding market timing when selling a business means aligning your readiness with market conditions to maximize value, not simply waiting ...

When it comes time to sell your business, not all buyers are created equal. The type of buyer, strategic or financial, has a major impact on how much they’ll pay, how they’ll structure the deal, and what your post-sale life might look like. For small and lower-middle-market business owners, knowing ...