QinetiQ deal may be first of many (from The Deal) (subscription required)

Hector Cuellar, president of RSM EquiCo Capital Markets LLC, an investment bank focusing on middle markets, said he expects international strategic companies in the sector to continue seeking U.S. acquisitions. Langman agreed, adding that most of these deals will be for private companies in the $250 million and below range. Dominion Technology is a private company based in Reston, Va.

FOCUS: Dealmaking PE firms, hedge funds turn to DIY financing (from Financial Week)

“The subordinated debt and mezzanine capital players in our market have stepped up in a big way,” said Jay Sherwood, senior managing director at RSM EquiCo Capital Markets, which focuses on smaller deals. “Yes, it's more expensive in terms of the cost of capital, but in terms of getting a deal done, sometimes it's the critical linchpin.”

Energy Buyouts: Not Made in the USA (from The Wall Street Journal)

Then there is the uncertain fate of a proposed lifting of the U.S. government’s ban. “There is just so much growth in offshore drilling outside the U.S.,” said Michael G. Parham, managing director of energy deals at investment bank RSM EquiCo Capital Markets. “It’s a resource play to get access to resources” in the North Sea, West Africa, and Russia for the investors.

Any Port in a Storm (from Mergers and Acquisitions Journal)

Recession-resistant sectors, such as healthcare, energy and defense, will still attract buyers, although no industry is completely safe today.