Houlihan Lokey

Houlihan Lokey buys BearTooth Advisors; the NYSE has a "strong pipeline" of IPOs coming in June, says Stacey Cunningham, the first woman tapped to lead the exchange.

In other moves, Arsenal promotes three and Houlihan Lokey expands energy group.

KPMG, PWC and Rothschild are among the most active mid-market banks.

KPMG closed more middle-market M&A deals than any other investment bank in the world. PricewaterhouseCoopers, Rothschild & Co., Houlihan Lokey and BDO were among the top 5 in deal volume.

Mergers and Acquisitions' special report celebrates female professionals in investment banking, including Lincoln International's Janki Gandhi.

Colagte, known for its toothpaste, purchased PCA Skin and EltaMD.

Key responsibilities: Heads the structured equity division.

Arsenal and Audax also made investments in the chemicals sector.

Conagra is also in the process of divesting Wesson Oil and recently acquired Thanasi Foods, as it reshapes its portfolio.

The private equity formed Vantage in 2008 and sold it to Jordan Co. in 2012.