PE Hub's Deal of the Year Awards deadline arrives Friday, capping a busy period for private equity. Recent transactions from KKR, Energy Capital Partners (ECP), Hg, and One Equity Partners (OEP) suggest a potential increase in M&A activity. Key deals include ECP selling Calpine Corporation, Hg acquiring OneStream, and OEP divesting its stake in Armis.

This flurry of deals follows a record-breaking year for PE investment in the aerospace and defense sector. The activity indicates firms are deploying capital and seeking exits, potentially signaling renewed confidence in the market. For investors, it suggests a pipeline of future portfolio moves and valuations to watch closely.

Looking ahead, the 2026 outlook hinges on whether this momentum continues. The sector's performance will depend on interest rates, economic stability, and deal flow quality. The upcoming awards will highlight standout transactions, offering a benchmark for the industry's direction.