Global mergers and acquisitions totaled $993 billion in the third quarter of 2026, a 41% decline from the second quarter. According to LSEG data, this is the first quarter since the second quarter of 2025 that quarterly deal value has fallen below $1 trillion. Only 10 deals worth more than $10 billion were announced in the third quarter, the lowest level since the fourth quarter of 2024. Meanwhile, global M&A activity since the start of the year saw deal counts fall 8%, but total transaction value rose 28% year on year to $3.9 trillion, the highest level since 2001. By region, M&A in the United States and Europe fell sharply in the third quarter, while Asia-Pacific deal value reached $242 billion, up 8% from the second quarter and up 36% from a year earlier. Karsten Worn of Goldman Sachs said that if the current pace continues, full-year M&A volume will surpass the record high set in 2021.
Goldman Sachs Group IncGoldman Sachs' Karsten Worn is cited on record M&A pace, and the strong $3.9T YTD deal value supports its advisory business.
London Stock Exchange Group PLC
