Forward Motion by Fadi Malouf

Forward Motion by Fadi Malouf

Documenting the real work of buying, building, and unsticking businesses since 1999.

Market Signals

+1

The Fed just hiked. Here is where disciplined buyers move.

Oct 1, 2026

•

2 min read

The Fed just hiked. Here is where disciplined buyers move.

Jobs came in hot, rates went up, and the lower middle market split in two.

Fadi Malouf
Fadi Malouf

Forward Motion Intel

+1

90% expect it. 29% will do it.

Sep 28, 2026

•

2 min read

90% expect it. 29% will do it.

The Q2 numbers, one listing read like a buyer, and the move for this week.

Fadi Malouf
Fadi Malouf

Deal Screening

+1

The market got easier. The room got harder.

Sep 24, 2026

•

2 min read

The market got easier. The room got harder.

Deals are not dying from conditions anymore. They are dying from price disagreement and process fatigue.

Fadi Malouf
Fadi Malouf

Acquisitions

+1

The Five Times I Kill a Deal Before the LOI

Sep 17, 2026

•

2 min read

The Five Times I Kill a Deal Before the LOI

Underwriting is where deals die. It's rarely where they should have died.

weekly-letter

+2

Issue #1: The deal you close is the relationship you built two years ago

Jul 22, 2026

•

1 min read

Issue #1: The deal you close is the relationship you built two years ago

Week 1 of the rotating cycle... Relationships + Deal Flow