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Global M&A activity surges as megadeals drive record values
Global mergers and acquisitions (M&A) activity is experiencing a significant shift characterized by a surge in total deal values driven by massive megadeals, even as the total number of transactions declines.
In 2025, global M&A volume reached $4.6 trillion, a 49% increase from the previous year. This trend of larger, fewer deals is also evident in the mining sector, where total values reached $139 billion in 2025, a 35% jump. Mining megadeals exceeding $1 billion grew by 68%, totaling $97 billion, as companies prioritize established assets over new exploration.
The energy sector follows a similar pattern. Global upstream oil and gas M&A deal value rose 55% year-on-year to approximately $100 billion in the first half of 2026. North America dominated this sector, accounting for 68% of the global deal value, with major transactions including Devon Energy’s $25.1 billion merger and Shell’s $16.4 billion acquisition.
Entities
Devon Energy · LSEG · Rystad Energy · S&P Global · Shell
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Global M&A volume reached $4.6 trillion in 2025, a 49% increase from 2024. cryptobriefing.com
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Global upstream oil and gas M&A deal value rose 55% year-on-year to approximately $100 billion in the first half of 2026. businessday.ng
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The surge in M&A value is driven by megadeals valued above $10 billion, despite a downward trend in total deal counts. cryptobriefing.com
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Mining transactions worth over $1 billion grew by 68% to reach $97 billion. aheadoftheherd.com
- [○ 1 SOURCE] North America accounted for $68 billion, or 68%, of global upstream M&A deal value in the first half of 2026. businessday.ng
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Global mining M&A values reached $139 billion in 2025, a 35% increase compared to 2024. aheadoftheherd.com