Deal volume and value

A record $20.2 billion was invested in funds in the sub-$500 million category, up from $17.9 billion in 2016.

Fourth quarter purchase price multiples up more than 19 percent year over year.

Linamar’s purchase of agricultulre equipment maker MacDon was February's biggest mid-market transaction.

DLA Piper served as legal advisor on the highest number of completed middle-market M&A in the world. Jones Day, Kirkland & Ellis, Baker & McKenzie and CMS were among the top 5 law firms in deal volume.

Kirkland & Ellis served as legal advisor on the highest total dollar value of completed middle-market M&A deals in the world. Latham & Watkins, Skadden, Jones Day and Sullivan & Cromwell were among the top 5 law firms in deal value.

J.P. Morgan’s total dollar value of completed middle-market M&A deals was the highest of any investment bank in the world. Goldman Sachs & Co., Morgan Stanley, Rothschild & Co. and Credit Suisse were among the top 5 in deal value.

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.

Huron Capital's Gretchen Perkins says "there are plenty of deals in market and soon to be taken to market."

Private equity fundraising hit an all-time high, and the number of deals completed in the first half of 2017 was up 12 percent over the previous year.

Dealmakers attributed the activity to optimism about the overall economy and business climate