In the first episode of Season 3 of The Dealist podcast, we're joined by Liam Stoker (Market Insights Lead, Reuters) and Todd Partridge (SVP of Marketing, SS&C Intralinks) to break down what’s shaping M&A as dealmakers look ahead to 2026.

Drawing on fresh market data and real-world perspectives from the H1 2026 Global Dealmakers Sentiment Report, the conversation focuses on where M&A momentum is building, where risks remain and opportunities exist, and how corporate and private equity dealmakers are adapting to geopolitical turmoil.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

Why cautious optimism is returning to M&A — and how dealmakers are positioning for the next cycle
How regulatory shifts are unlocking new capital flows into private equity
What tightening financing conditions mean for deal structures in 2026
Why Europe and Asia are gaining ground as attractive M&A regions
How AI is moving from experimentation to execution in dealmaking

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How Are Dealmakers Really Feeling About 2026?