Global M&A Outlook 2026: Sector and broader perspectives
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12 2월 2026
Insight
Global
After examining the global forces reshaping M&A in the first chapters of our 2026 M&A report, we now shift focus to the regional stories driving dealmaking around the world.
Global dealmaking stayed resilient in 2025 and momentum is building into 2026. Africa continued to grow, Asia expanded investment corridors led by Japan and India, and Australia saw intense competition for strategic assets. Europe remained selective, focusing on high‑quality opportunities tied to digitisation and resilience. Markets including Greece, Italy and India recorded strong gains, while the Middle East accelerated with record activity in the UAE and Saudi Arabia. Despite volatility, Latin America and South Korea maintained elevated deal flow, and confidence strengthened in mature markets such as the UK, Switzerland and the United States as fundamentals improved and large‑scale transactions returned.
Explore our regional perspectives below.
Chapters
- Global M&A Outlook 2026 – Regional perspectives
- Africa – Holding firm
- Asia – A web of opportunity
- Australia – More contested and complex
- Europe – Resilience and caution (again)
- France – 2025 could have been worse
- Germany – The profile is shifting
- Greece – Growth and opportunities
- India – Coming of age
- Italy – Volume, values and strategic shifts
- Latin America – Geopolitics will set the tone
- Luxembourg – Getting stronger
- South Korea – Opportunities amid political change
- Spain – Consolidation and optimism
- Switzerland – Going for growth
- UK – Growing confidence after a mixed year
- United States – Resilience, realignment and acceleration
Key contacts
Gavin Davies
Partner, Head of M&A, London
Malika Chandrasegaran
Partner, Head of M&A, Asia, Singapore
Alberto Frasquet
Partner, Head of Corporate, EMEA, Madrid and Latin America Group
Rebecca Maslen-Stannage
Chair and Senior Partner, Sydney
Caroline Rae
Partner, London
Ernest S. Wechsler
Managing Partner, Corporate, US, New York
Transactions
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Legal Notice
The contents of this publication are for reference purposes only and may not be current as at the date of accessing this publication. They do not constitute legal advice and should not be relied upon as such. Specific legal advice about your specific circumstances should always be sought separately before taking any action based on this publication.
© Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer 2026
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