Deal-Making Doldrums.

• Position: Brief Article

Merger activity is continuing to slow, That's not exactly a news flash, but a recent survey by the Association for Corporate Growth (ACG) puts some thoughts and numbers behind the proposition.

Indeed, the 584 respondents to the online survey generally believe that poor market conditions will handcuff deal-making for the foreseeable future, As a result, middle-market firms are looking to strategic alliances, innovative structures and mezzanine financing as attractive alternatives to achieve corporate growth this year.

Specifically:

* Over 55 percent of respondents said that overall M&A and private equity activity would slow "moderately" or "significantly" during the rest of the year.

* Nearly 80 percent said that strategic alliances will become "increasingly important."

* Over 85 percent said that creative deal structures will become more important.

For those still willing to brave the acquisition trail, innovation and new funding sources will be vital, said members of ACG, the nation's largest organization of M&A, corporate growth and development experts and professionals. Mezzanine financing ranked...