M&A Deals Strong: Global M&A activity reaches a five-year high in 2026, capital investment becomes the main driving force
This report, based on LSEG data, indicates that global M&A transaction volume reached a five-year high in the first quarter of 2026, a year-on-year increase of 27%. Although US deals remain the main driver, European deals have rebounded strongly, while the Asia-Pacific region has seen a decline. Market trends show that capital investment (such as private equity and venture capital) is driving transactions, rather than traditional strategic M&A.