Deal volume and value

Volume was steady, but deal values would've been the lowest in years if not for one big, and very intriguing, transaction.

Akamai, led by CEO Tom Leighton, buys cybersecurity company Janrain. Award nominations due Feb. 8. Mid-market deal value exceeded $400B for first time in 2018.

Buoyed by record year for private equity deals, most middle-market companies say they are optimistic about M&A.

Even amid trade war concerns, the atmosphere for dealmaking stayed positivein the second quarter, as investors searched for the best way to profit from technological innovations and fast-growing markets.

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