Despite mounting financing constraints and market uncertainties, U.S. private equity professionals remain confident in growth prospects, leveraging technology and strategic discipline to navigate the evolving landscape.
Forvis Mazars’ latest survey of private equity professionals in the United States paints a picture of resilient optimism amid mounting financing constraints and broader market uncertainty. According to the firm’s US Private Equity Report: 2026 Insights, roughly eight in ten U.S. respondents express confidence that prevailing conditions will permit portfolio growth, a level little changed from the prior year.
The report, drawn from more than 150 U.S. participants within a global sample exceeding 800 respondents, finds leverage remains a central tool of dealmaking. Surveyed firms report an average debt-to-capital ratio of about 56%, with majority-active investors using materially higher leverage than their peers. Growth capital figured most prominently among investment strategies, followed by venture capital and private debt, suggesting managers are tilting toward opportunities that promise expansion rather than short-term arbitrage.
At the same time, respondents signalled that financing pressures are reshaping both build-up and exit plans. Two-thirds said tighter credit markets are affecting add-on and roll-up strategies, an increase described by Forvis Mazars as substantial compared with 2025, while nearly as many reported impacts on their ability to execute exits. Those constraints, combined with ongoing valuation gaps, are prompting longer hold periods and more frequent use of extended capital structures.
Technology and artificial intelligence emerged as pivotal elements of execution and value creation. The report highlights growing use of AI to strengthen data-driven decision making, streamline operations and sharpen pricing and forecasting. However, adoption is uneven and smaller, lower-data-maturity portfolio companies lag behind; the firm warns that AI also brings heightened responsibilities around cyber security, governance and prudent oversight. A related Forvis Mazars-backed study of finance leaders found that a rising share of executives are prioritising AI and machine learning investments for 2026, reflecting a broader industry push to couple technological capability with disciplined growth strategies.
The survey situates U.S. managers within a global context that still prizes cross-border diversification. Canada, the United Kingdom and France were cited as favoured international destinations for deal activity, even as macroeconomic volatility and geopolitical factors remain the most commonly cited headwinds to portfolio performance. Forvis Mazars stresses that operational rigor and clear strategic focus are proving decisive in separating successful managers from the rest. “U.S. PE firms are showing remarkable discipline and adaptability in a market defined by volatility and selective opportunity,” said Scott Linch, managing partner of Forvis Mazars Capital Advisors and national Private Equity sector leader at Forvis Mazars US.
External studies point to a similarly upbeat view of deal momentum next year. Deloitte’s 2026 M&A Trends Survey reports that most private equity respondents expect higher transaction volumes and larger aggregate deal values in 2026, while also warning that uncertain market conditions have become the single biggest challenge to M&A success. Taken together, the evidence suggests managers are preparing for increased competition as more assets reach the market, even as they contend with tighter financing and longer timelines to realisation.
Forvis Mazars frames the sector’s near-term prospects as a test of operational skill and strategic patience. The firm recommends that sponsors pair technological advancement with robust governance and hands-on portfolio management if they are to convert late‑cycle opportunities into sustainable value. The full US Private Equity Report: 2026 Insights provides expanded data and analysis for managers weighing those trade-offs.
- https://www.cpapracticeadvisor.com/2026/02/03/confidence-in-u-s-private-equity-remains-steady/177347/ – Please view link – unable to able to access data
- https://www.forvismazars.us/about-us/newsroom/news-releases/us-private-equity-confidence-holds-steady-despite-rising-financing-pressures – Forvis Mazars, a leading public accounting and consulting firm in the U.S., released its ‘US Private Equity Report: 2026 Insights’, highlighting that 83% of U.S. private equity firms are confident in portfolio growth, similar to 2025. The average leverage percentage is 56%, with active investors using 61% leverage on average. The report also notes that 67% of respondents report an impact on build-up strategies due to tightened financing conditions, an 18-point increase over 2025. Additionally, 64% report seeing effects on exit strategies, also a notable rise from 2025. The report emphasizes the importance of adaptability and disciplined execution in navigating market volatility and selective opportunities. ([forvismazars.us](https://www.forvismazars.us/about-us/newsroom/news-releases/us-private-equity-confidence-holds-steady-despite-rising-financing-pressures?utm_source=openai))
- https://www.forvismazars.us/about-us/newsroom/news-releases/forvis-mazars-highlights-resilience-and-optimism-in-north-american-private-equity-sector – Forvis Mazars’ ‘Global Private Equity Report 2025’ reveals that North American private equity firms have demonstrated the highest rate of portfolio performance against expectations, with 33% of firms citing performance at three years ‘above planned’. The report also highlights that 71% of North American respondents have a very positive or fairly positive outlook for 2025, indicating strong confidence in the market conditions for fundraising efforts. ([forvismazars.us](https://www.forvismazars.us/about-us/newsroom/news-releases/forvis-mazars-highlights-resilience-and-optimism-in-north-american-private-equity-sector?utm_source=openai))
- https://www.forvismazars.us/about-us/newsroom/news-releases/in-2026-financial-executives-prioritize-technology-ai-and-disciplined-growth-for-resilient-perform – The ‘2026 Financial Executives Priorities Report’ by the Financial Education & Research Foundation, in partnership with Forvis Mazars, reveals that 64% of finance leaders identify AI and machine learning as top technology investment priorities for 2026, up from 43% in 2025. The report also highlights that 48% of finance leaders cite revenue growth and market expansion as their top financial priority for 2026, indicating a focus on disciplined growth strategies. ([forvismazars.us](https://www.forvismazars.us/about-us/newsroom/news-releases/in-2026-financial-executives-prioritize-technology-ai-and-disciplined-growth-for-resilient-perform?utm_source=openai))
- https://www.deloitte.com/us/en/about/press-room/deloitte-ma-trends-2026-survey.html – Deloitte’s ‘2026 M&A Trends Survey’ indicates that 90% of private equity and 80% of corporate respondents expect an increased number of deals in 2026. The survey also notes that 87% of private equity respondents anticipate an increase in the aggregate value of their deals in the next year. However, it highlights that uncertain market conditions have become the greatest challenge to M&A and deal success, with 29% of respondents citing this as a concern. ([deloitte.com](https://www.deloitte.com/us/en/about/press-room/deloitte-ma-trends-2026-survey.html?utm_source=openai))
- https://www.forvismazars.com/group/en/industries/private-equity/global-private-equity-report-2026 – The ‘Global Private Equity Report 2026’ by Forvis Mazars reveals that over 700 private equity professionals from various sectors and regions participated in the survey. The report highlights that U.S. private equity firms are entering 2026 with resilience and a clearer sense of strategy, with most managers expecting deal flow to accelerate as more assets come to market and competition intensifies. ([forvismazars.com](https://www.forvismazars.com/group/en/industries/private-equity/global-private-equity-report-2026?utm_source=openai))
- https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2026/01/29/3228550/0/en/Adaptability-emerges-as-the-defining-advantage-for-U-S-business-leaders-in-2026-Forvis-Mazars-C-Suite-Barometer.html – Forvis Mazars’ ‘C-Suite Barometer: Outlook 2026’ reveals that nearly 97% of U.S. executives report optimism about growth, with almost nine in ten expecting revenue to increase in the year ahead. The report emphasizes that adaptability, powered by technology and disciplined execution, has become the defining competitive advantage for American businesses. ([globenewswire.com](https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2026/01/29/3228550/0/en/Adaptability-emerges-as-the-defining-advantage-for-U-S-business-leaders-in-2026-Forvis-Mazars-C-Suite-Barometer.html?utm_source=openai))
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
8
Notes:
The article was published on February 3, 2026, making it current. However, the content is based on Forvis Mazars’ ‘US Private Equity Report: 2026 Insights’, which is a press release. Press releases are typically considered high freshness but may lack independent verification.
Quotes check
Score:
6
Notes:
The article includes direct quotes from Scott Linch, managing partner of Forvis Mazars Capital Advisors. These quotes are not independently verifiable through external sources, raising concerns about their authenticity.
Source reliability
Score:
7
Notes:
The article originates from CPA Practice Advisor, a niche publication focusing on accounting and financial services. While it is a reputable source within its niche, it may not have the same level of scrutiny as major news organisations.
Plausibility check
Score:
7
Notes:
The claims about U.S. private equity firms’ confidence and strategies align with industry trends. However, the lack of independent verification and reliance on a press release diminishes the overall credibility.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): FAIL
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): MEDIUM
Summary:
The article is based on a press release from Forvis Mazars, which raises concerns about freshness and source independence. The inclusion of unverifiable quotes and the lack of independent verification further diminish the content’s credibility. Given these issues, the article does not meet the necessary standards for publication.