Global M&A Activity Surges Driven By AI

Global dealmaking momentum is carrying into 2026 after a 40% surge to $4.9 trillion in 2025, Bain & Company reports, led by mega-deals and AI-related demand. Companies and private equity are reassessing portfolios and pursuing scale amid a historically thin pool of discretionary capital — M&A allocation hit a 30-year low — while hyperscaler capex and AI infrastructure needs compete for funding.