EBITDA Addbacks: Credibility Matters

Table of Contents

• Welcome to the M&A Mindset!

  • Interesting Infographic

  • M&A Topic Briefing

  • Articles of Interest

  • Educational Resources

  • Spreadsheet Tips & Tricks

  • Good Reads This Week

  • From The Benchmark Blog

  • Industry Associations

  • Lighten Up!

  • M&A Merch

INTERESTING INFOGRAPHIC

Each week, I feature a visually engaging infographic that distills a key M&A subject area into an easy-to-digest format. These quick reference guides aim to deliver clarity, insight, and practical understanding at a glance.

EBITDA Addbacks: Credibility Matters

M&A TOPIC BRIEFING

In this section, I provide a clear, concise overview of a specific topic, trend, or concept within the realm of M&A. The goal is to educate, inform, and spark discussions on relevant subjects, helping you deepen your knowledge and better navigate the complexities of M&A more confidently.

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ARTICLES OF INTEREST

• JPMorgan Global Head Says Rising Risks To Drive Surge In Deals - Dealmakers are poised for a strong 2026 M&A year with a record pipeline of deals, as companies pursue larger mergers and acquisitions to build scale and better withstand rising economic and geopolitical risks.

• M&A Lawyers See "Bulging Pipeline" For 2026 After Deal-Crazed Year - Lawyers at major firms say 2026 looks set for another very active M&A market after a near-record 2025 that saw global transaction values surge and an unprecedented number of mega-deals, and they expect continued strong demand—especially in the mid-market and private equity space.

• Private Equity Firms Expected To Unleash Middle-Market M&A Deals - Private equity firms and middle-market executives are increasingly confident 2026 will bring a rise in middle-market M&A activity, with a majority expecting deal volume to grow as sponsors become more willing to transact—driven by optimism around economic growth, lower interest rates, attractive valuations, and strategic interest in sectors like tech and AI.

• Why Mergers & Acquisitions Aren't Just For Big Corporates Anymore - M&A is no longer just the domain of giant corporations — technology, private capital, and accessible deal platforms have democratized deal-making so that startups, small businesses, and solo entrepreneurs can use acquisitions as a strategic growth tool, with micro-private equity and creative financing making smaller deals both practical and attractive.

• ETA and Search Funds as Viable M&A Models - Entrepreneurship Through Acquisition (ETA) and search funds are gaining attention as an M&A model, where entrepreneurs raise capital to find, acquire, and run established small-to-medium businesses—offering a potentially faster and lower-risk path to ownership than starting a business from scratch, though with notable challenges and mixed success rates.

EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES

• Wall Street Oasis: Elite Modeling Course

• Coursera: Introduction to Finance & Accounting (Wharton - UPenn)

• Wall Street Prep: How To Build A 3-Statement Model

• Corporate Finance Institute: Introduction to Mergers & Acquisitions

• Data Camp: Financial Modeling in Excel

SPREADSHEET TIPS & TRICKS

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GOOD READS THIS WEEK

FROM THE BENCHMARK BLOG

My firm, Benchmark International, a global, award-winning sell-side M&A company, has a ton of great resources that help anyone considering selling or buying a business get more educated on all aspects of the process. Below is just one helpful article. Check out Benchmark International for many more useful articles, news, and resources.

• Positions Yourself to Get Lucky

INDUSTRY ASSOCIATIONS

Trade Associations in the M&A Industry

• Association for Corporate Growth (ACG)

• Alliance of Mergers & Acquisitions Advisors (AMAA)

• The M&A Advisor

LIGHTEN UP!

In the fast-paced world of M&A, we can sometimes take things (and ourselves) a bit too seriously, so it’s good to remember to enjoy a lighter moment now and then.

Best Finance Podcasts for 2026

M&A MERCH

Here’s a find for us finance folks to grab some M&A-inspired swag. Stuff for those of us that speak fluent EBITDA. If you find others that have great deal-themed gear, send them this way so we can let everyone know. Enjoy!

• Merch & Acquisition Co. - Dress Like You Just Closed