In the fast-paced world of M&A, a question lingers: Can acquisitions go the way of the dinosaur if companies don’t keep up with technological shifts? It seems that in 2024, global mergers and acquisitions saw a remarkable 15% increase year-over-year, on track to hit an astounding $3.5 trillion. But before we start popping the champagne, it’s crucial to understand how this climb stacks up against global GDP. According to Bain & Company’s latest “Global M&A Report 2025,” while the value of deals remained relatively low historically, the outlook for 2025 looks bright. Companies are now relying on savvy acquisitions and strategic divestitures to maneuver the waters of tech disruption. Just which sectors are steering the ship, you ask? Spoiler alert: Energy and Natural Resources are leading the charge, closely followed by Advanced Manufacturing and Services. Let’s dive deeper into these trends and explore how the big players are using generative AI to level up their deal-making game. Curious to learn more? Check out the full report! LEARN MORE.
The deal value of global 2024 mergers and acquisitions transactions was up 15% year-over-year as of early December and on pace to reach about $3.5 trillion for the year. That’s according to Bain & Company’s new “Global M&A Report 2025” (PDF), which recaps 2024 activity based on data from Deallogic and S&P Capital IQ.
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According to the Bain report, in 2024, deal value was historically low relative to global GDP, but the outlook for 2025 is strong as acquistions and divestitures become essential for companies navigating technological disruption.
