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.
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The report also shows that most global industries grew or remained stable in 2024, with Energy and Natural Resources topping the list, followed by Advanced Manufacturing and Services.
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Bain & Company also surveyed 307 M&A executive practitioners in October 2024 across the U.S., Australia, Brazil, Canada, France, Germany, India, Italy, Japan, and the U.K. — inquiring about their use of generative AI to enhance deal-making.