M&A Momentum Expected to Sustain in 2026 After Record 2025 Rebound
Event summary
- Global M&A deal value rose 40% to $4.9 trillion in 2025, the second-highest on record.
- 80% of M&A executives surveyed expect to sustain or increase deal activity in 2026.
- AI adoption in M&A more than doubled in 2025, with 45% of executives using AI tools.
- Technology disruption, geopolitics, and shifting profit pools are key forces shaping M&A in 2026.
- Banking M&A surged to $212 billion in 2025, driven by favorable regulatory and monetary conditions.
The big picture
Global M&A activity is poised to maintain its momentum in 2026, following a significant rebound in 2025. The strategic context is shaped by technology disruption, geopolitical shifts, and the need for companies to reinvent themselves. The high demand for capital and the increasing use of AI in dealmaking are key factors that will influence the M&A landscape in the coming year.
What we're watching
- Technology Disruption
- How AI and other technological advancements will continue to drive M&A activity, particularly in the technology sector.
- Geopolitical Shifts
- Whether companies will make bolder moves to realign their global footprints in response to post-globalization and geopolitical fragmentation.
- Capital Constraints
- The pace at which companies will need to balance competing demands for capital between M&A, capex, and R&D.
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