Lincoln International CEO Rob Brown recently appeared on Bloomberg TV to discuss the significant surge in dealmaking activity. Following a challenging start to 2025, the M&A industry is now experiencing a robust recovery and is projected to achieve its strongest year since 2021. The overall volume of dealmaking is approaching $4 trillion.
Brown's commentary came as Lincoln International reported strong financial results for the second quarter of 2026. The company saw total revenues of $225.7 million, a 51% increase from the prior-year period. Investment Banking Advisory revenues alone jumped 56% to $177.7 million, attributed to a higher number of completed transactions, increased average fees, and the strategic acquisition of MarshBerry.
The firm also highlighted its solid financial position, with $250.6 million in cash and cash equivalents and net cash of $148.7 million as of June 30, 2026. This financial health was bolstered by using a portion of its IPO proceeds to repay approximately $195.8 million of debt related to the MarshBerry acquisition, enhancing its balance sheet and financial flexibility.
While the specific Bloomberg TV segment aired on November 10, 2025, Brown's recent statements and Lincoln International's Q2 2026 results confirm continued optimism about the M&A market's trajectory. Despite some previous warnings of a credit crunch, Brown and other experts from Lincoln International have expressed a more confident outlook, pointing to resilient subsectors and a strong backlog of privately held businesses poised to drive future deal activity.
