Global M&A activity surged 42% to $2.9 trillion in H1 2026, defying geopolitical headwinds
Executive summary: The global mergers‑and‑acquisitions market grew 42% year‑on‑year in the first half of 2026, reaching a total value of $2.9 trillion according to PitchBook, with noticeable growth also in France. Such expansion signals strong corporate appetite for consolidation and capital deployment, even amid geopolitical uncertainties, influencing sector valuations and competitive dynamics.
Who is involved: Corporations, private‑equity firms, and investment banks worldwide are driving the deal flow, with notable French participation.
Likely next: Deal momentum is expected to continue through the second half of 2026, subject to regulatory scrutiny and macro‑economic stability.
According to PitchBook, the worldwide mergers‑and‑acquisitions market grew 42% year‑on‑year in the first half of 2026, reaching a total value of $2.9 trillion, with a similar uptick observed in France. This expansion occurs despite ongoing tensions such as the US‑Iran standoff and Indo‑Chinese rivalry over strategic infrastructure like Colombo’s port. Deal makers appear to be prioritising scale and synergies, betting that consolidation will outweigh short‑term political risks.
Timeline
- — En pleine frénésie de « mégadeals », les entreprises mondiales font fi des tensions géopolitiques (Le Monde — Économie)
- — Equilibrio inestable en Estados Unidos (El País — Economía)
- — Dans l’océan Indien, le port de Colombo pris dans les rivalités entre l’Inde et la Chine (Le Monde — Économie)
- — El reparto a domicilio no encuentra la puerta de la rentabilidad y acelera su concentración (El País — Economía)
Sources
- En pleine frénésie de « mégadeals », les entreprises mondiales font fi des tensions géopolitiques — Le Monde — Économie
- El reparto a domicilio no encuentra la puerta de la rentabilidad y acelera su concentración — El País — Economía
- Dans l’océan Indien, le port de Colombo pris dans les rivalités entre l’Inde et la Chine — Le Monde — Économie
- Equilibrio inestable en Estados Unidos — El País — Economía
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