According to Bain's M&A Midyear Report 2026, published on Wednesday, the global M&A market is on track for another exceptionally strong year following the robust performance of 2025. If the current pace continues, worldwide deal volume could exceed USD 5,3 trillion in 2026. The all-time record of USD 5,6 trillion was set in 2020.
Mega Deals Drive Growth
The market's momentum is being driven primarily by large-scale transactions. The number of deals valued at more than USD 10 billion has increased by 52 percent since the beginning of the year, while their aggregate value has risen by 53 percent.
«The strong M&A recovery in 2025 was not a short-lived phenomenon. The strategic drivers have become even stronger since then,» said Suzanne Kumar, Executive Vice President and Head of Bain & Company's Global M&A Practice.
Private Equity More Cautious
