Pricing discrepancies remain the primary source of tension in secondary market transactions, according to industry research. Despite strong valuations in the secondary market, the bid-ask spread continues to create significant friction during deal execution. The gap between buyer and seller expectations has emerged as the most contentious issue facing market participants.

A comprehensive survey conducted by Secondaries Investor in partnership with law firm Goodwin reveals that 87 percent of respondents identified pricing and valuation gaps as their biggest challenge. This finding comes from the Global Market Survey 2026, which polled industry professionals about their experiences in the secondary market. The persistent nature of this issue suggests fundamental structural challenges in how assets are valued and priced.

The widespread nature of pricing disputes indicates that even with robust secondary market activity, fundamental disagreements over asset values continue to hamper deal flow. Market participants must navigate these valuation differences while maintaining transaction momentum, creating additional complexity in an already intricate market. The survey results suggest that addressing pricing transparency and standardization could become a priority for industry stakeholders seeking to reduce friction in secondary transactions.