Global M&A Surges and Hits US$1.6 Trillion Record in Q1 2026

This year, global mergers and acquisitions (M&A) dealmakers have powered through geopolitical tensions and trade policy uncertainty.

In Q1 2026, total deal value reached an estimated US$1.6 trillion, setting a new quarterly record and marking a 50.6% year-over-year (YoY) increase, according to new data released by capital markets research platform PitchBook. The number of transactions also climbed 18% YoY to 13,877, landing at the same record levels observed in Q4 2025 and underscoring the strength of the M&A market.