The Global dealmaking stumbled in January 2026, with transaction volumes plummeting 28% year-over-year as investors shifted from aggressive expansion to capital preservation amid ongoing macro and geopolitical uncertainty, according to GlobalData.
The downturn was broad-based: M&A deals fell 28%, venture financing dropped 23%, and private equity transactions tumbled 57%. Regional declines varied, with North America proving most resilient at -17%, while other regions saw steeper drops—Europe (-33%), Asia-Pacific (-36%), Middle East and Africa (-35%), and South and Central America (-55%).
Major markets all retreated: the US (-15%), China (-17%), UK (-19%), India (-24%), and Canada (-36%) all recorded significant volume declines.
What’s Next?: Dealmakers are prioritizing selectivity and clearer paths to value creation over volume-driven strategies. Despite the current caution, analysts anticipate a phased recovery led by high-quality assets as financing markets stabilize and strategic investors reassess portfolios.
