- Goldman Sachs leads the EMEA M&A advisory market, with AI-driven dealmaking pushing first-half M&A volume to a 19-year high of $676 billion.
- In the first half of 2026, Goldman Sachs advised on 111 deals, representing 44% of the region’s total M&A value, up from 42% a year earlier.
- Goldman Sachs' dominance is highlighted by its involvement in 15 of the 20 largest deals in the region.
- Goldman Sachs' share of the M&A market in the first half of 2026 is the highest since 2018, when it reached 46%.
- Goldman Sachs advised on the largest deal of the period, the $45 billion sale of Unilever's food business to McCormick.
- Total M&A deal value in the EMEA region during the first half of 2026 was more than double the levels seen in 2025, reflecting a backdrop of looser regulatory constraints.
- Goldman Sachs holds a 9 percentage point lead over its closest rival, JPMorgan, which advised on 99 announced deals, representing a 35% market share.
- Goldman Sachs' sustained leadership in M&A reflects a sustained competitive advantage that has persisted throughout the post-crisis period.
Goldman Sachs has emerged as a leader in the EMEA mergers and acquisitions market, advising on 111 deals worth $676 billion in the first half of 2026, marking a 19-year high. This surge in activity is attributed to a combination of looser regulatory constraints and a significant AI boom in the technology sector.1237
Goldman's market share increased to 44%, up from 42% a year earlier, reflecting its involvement in 15 of the 20 largest deals during this period. Notably, the bank advised Unilever on the sale of its food business to McCormick for approximately $45 billion, the largest deal in the region.46
According to LSEG data, total M&A deal value in the EMEA region more than doubled compared to 2025, highlighting a robust recovery in dealmaking. Goldman Sachs' share of the market is the highest since 2018, when it reached 46%. The bank's closest competitor, JPMorgan, advised on 99 deals, capturing a 35% market share.5
Valeria Vitkova, an associate professor of finance at Bayes Business School, noted, "The firm's sustained leadership reflects more than simply a succession of favourable years. It appears to represent a sustained competitive advantage that has persisted throughout the post-crisis period." This trend indicates a long-term strategic shift among companies, as they invest for future growth rather than short-term gains.9
“Goldman Sachs has strengthened its position in the EMEA M&A market, advising on the largest deals and capturing 44% of the total M&A value. The first half of 2026 saw M&A volume in the region reach $676 billion, more than double the previous year and the highest in 19 years.”
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