Q2 2026 was another slow quarter for dealmaking. PE Hub’s analysis of S&P Global Market Intelligence data shows 937 private equity deals, 560 exits—down from 1,067 deals and 636 exits in Q1. The slump mirrors last year’s worst Q2 and marks the lowest second‑quarter figure since the pandemic. Yet data suggest a rebound in H2, as previous years’ second halves outperformed their first halves.

Michael Schoeck reports 150+ companies near market, while Mary Kathleen (MK) Flynn interviewed Clearlake Capital co‑founder José E. Feliciano at PEI Group’s NEXUS 2026 conference. Feliciano warned that buying or taking private a software business is a “four‑letter word” amid AI disruption.

TMT saw the biggest drop in deal counts, whereas healthcare, financials, and industrials maintained activity and lifted median deal sizes—healthcare’s median surpassed $1 billion. Blackstone, TPG Global, Biogen, Gilead, and GTCR closed multi‑billion deals, with Blackstone acquiring Hologic for $18 billion. Despite headwinds, TMT still led in volume, but total deal value fell relative to other sectors.