New Delhi, July 25 -- Global mergers and acquisitions (M&A) volumes climbed to a record USD 3.1 trillion in the first half of 2026, surpassing the previous peak recorded in H1 2021, as larger deal sizes and AI-driven strategic acquisitions fuelled activity despite persistent geopolitical and inflationary uncertainties, according to the Goldman Sachs Investment Banking global M&A outlook.

The outlook said global M&A volumes rose 48 per cent year-on-year, with the increase "driven primarily by the surge in deal size," as mega M&A volumes jumped 125 per cent year-on-year. It added that the current deal cycle still has "substantial room to run" despite macroeconomic headwinds.

Describing the current environment as a "volatility paradox," Go...