Blackstone’s Martin Brand: Narrowed bid-ask spread aiding momentum for 2026; Aviation sector in focus as Blackstone agrees to Arka exit

Good morning dealmakers, it’s Obey Martin Manayiti here with the US edition of the Wire from the New York newsroom.

Martin Brand, a senior managing director at Blackstone and head of Blackstone Capital Partners, sees several reasons to be optimistic about the dealmaking environment for 2026 in the latest instalment of PE Hub’s Q&As with private equity thought leaders.