Inflation, interest rates, global conflict complicate M&A outlook

After an active dealmaking year in 2021 that was fueled by private equity, the M&A outlook for 2022 is slightly more clouded as inflation grows to 40-year highs, the Federal Reserve begins bumping up interest rates and Russia's invasion of Ukraine disrupts financial markets.

Still, business executives and M&A experts forecast a busy year as private equity continues to play a dominating role in dealmaking, and as business owners continue weighing their future after two years of pandemic disruptions.

Participating in the roundtable were:

• Dana Jacks, president of Century Technology Group Inc., an Ada-based family office that provides tech companies with growth capital, administrative resources and consulting;
• Raj Kothari, managing director of Southfield-based investment banking firm Cascade Partners LLC;
• Deidra Mitchell, president and CEO of Grand Rapids-based Waséyabek Development Co., the non-gaming investment arm of the Nottawaseppi Huron Band of Potawatomi;
• Pete Roth, senior corporate and M&A partner at Varnum; and
• Mark Streekstra, managing director of Grand Rapids-based investment banking firm Charter Capital Partners.

Click here for highlights from the discussion.