Global M&A Hits Record High

Global mergers and acquisitions reached a record $2.8 trillion in the first half of 2026, a 48% increase year-on-year, driven by a surge in 47 'mega-deals' valued over $10 billion, totaling more than $1.3 trillion. This M&A boom is attributed to an easier regulatory environment, abundant financing, and companies' pursuit of scale and focus. Notable transactions included NextEra Energy's $66.8 billion merger with Dominion Energy and SpaceX's roughly $60 billion acquisition of Cursor. Technology remained the dominant sector for dealmaking, with significant activity in AI and infrastructure. Cross-border M&A also saw a substantial increase, with the United States and United Kingdom being primary targets. Corporate separations, such as Comcast's planned spinoff of Comcast — NBCUniversal and Honeywell's three-way split, also contributed to the dealmaking volume as companies sought to streamline operations.