IMAP closes 141 M&A transactions worth more than $10 billion in H1 2026

IMAP advisors closed 141 M&A transactions globally in H1 2026, with a total value exceeding USD 10 billion, marking one of the strongest first-half performances in the partnership's history despite a more selective and demanding M&A environment.

Explore the mid-market M&A trends shaping H1 2026, including deal activity, sector dynamics, and regional insights—straight from IMAP partners on the ground in 16 markets worldwide.

H1 2026 Mid-Market M&A Trends: Execution Over Sourcing

Capital was available, strategic intent was there, and pipelines remained healthy—but converting that into closed M&A transactions required more discipline than in prior years. Buyers grew more selective, deal processes more structured, and successful outcomes increasingly dependent on execution rather than momentum.

Cross-Border M&A Activity in H1 2026

More than a third of IMAP transactions in H1 2026 were cross-border M&A deals, underscoring the value of local market expertise combined with global reach at a time when the best buyer is decreasingly the closest one.

Mid-Market M&A Outlook for H2 2026

Large strategic transactions supported headline M&A deal value in H1, while broader mid-market deal volumes stayed more selective. Geopolitical uncertainty and a still-elusive wave of private equity exits added further complexity to the M&A outlook, even as pipelines and buyer appetite remained intact heading into the second half of the year.

Global M&A Perspectives by Region: Partner Insights

The IMAP H1 2026 Deal Summary goes beyond the numbers, featuring first-hand M&A market perspectives and forecasts from partners across 16 markets worldwide. Across regions, a consistent theme emerges: 2026 is a year in which finding deals is no longer the challenge in mid-market M&A—executing them well is.

DOWNLOAD THE FULL REPORT INCLUDING IMAP PARTNER M&A PERSPECTIVES & FORECASTS BELOW: