Branch² Intelligence

Global M&A deal rush fades in third quarter as rising borrowing costs bite

IN · 2026-10-02

Key takeaway

Global M&A activity dropped 41% in Q3, falling below $1 trillion for the first time since Q2 2025.

  1. Step 1 · The triggerUS and global central banks keep policy rates high, raising the cost of debt and reducing the attractiveness of large, leveraged M&A deals.
  2. Step 2 · Knock-onGlobal M&A activity drops 41% as dealmakers delay or cancel transactions, shrinking the fee pool for investment banks and legal advisors.
  3. Step 3 · Reaches youIndian SMEs seeking cross-border deals or foreign capital face tighter credit, slower deal timelines, and higher funding costs, directly impacting expansion plans and partnership opportunities.

The trigger is reported by the source below. The steps that follow are Branch²’s traced reasoning — how the shock could reach a business like yours, not a prediction.

Source: economictimes.indiatimes.com

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