Global M&A deal value rose 11.7%, but number of deals fell 12.9% in H1 2024: S&P

The total value of mergers and acquisitions (M&As) globally has increased by 11.7% to $1.221 trillion during the first half of the calendar year 2024-25, compared to 2023-24, according to S&P Global Market Intelligence’s new Q2 2024 Global M&A and Equity Offerings Report.
However, the number of such deals was down 12.9% to 19,415 over the same time period.
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A merger is when two companies decide to join together and form a single new entity together, with both of their business operations now being combined into one.
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An acquisition is when one company buys the majority of shares belonging to another company and thereby, gains full control over it.
An M&A slowdown started in 2022 due to rate hikes, according to the report, which added that an increase of M&A deals by $10 billion outside the US led to total global value of M&A deals growing for the third straight quarter.
“A handful of large transactions served as a bright spot for M&A and IPO activity in the second quarter,” said Joe Mantone, lead author of the report at S&P Global Market Intelligence. “While the overall number of transactions remains lackluster, the bigger deals are helping bring some growth to the overall value of transactions.”
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The total number of global M&A transactions fell below 10,000 three times in the last four quarters after having done that only once since 2020.
“Clarity around the political landscape and sustained rate-cutting cycle would certainly create optimism for M&A and IPOs heading into 2025,” Mantone said.