Global Mega-Deals Reach Record High in Q1 2026, Propelling Deal Value to $438 Billion

Key Points

• Q1 2026 saw a record 215 deals valued over $100 million, totaling $438 billion.
• Mega-deals (over $10 billion) reached an all-time high.
• Companies making M&A deals outperformed the market by 2.5%.

Full Details

The first quarter of 2026 set a record for mega-deals, with 215 transactions over $100 million and a total deal value of $438 billion—a 155% increase from the same period in 2025, according to WTW’s Quarterly Deal Performance Monitor. M&A transactions of $10 billion or more hit an all-time record, driving the surge in deal value despite broader economic headwinds. Companies making M&A deals outperformed the wider market by 2.5% for acquisitions valued over $100 million completed between January and March 2026. This highlights the resilience of global dealmakers and the continued attractiveness of M&A as a growth strategy, even in a challenging economic environment.