Goldman Sachs tops first-half M&A league table as EMEA dealmaking surges
Goldman Sachs ranked first in mergers-and-acquisitions advisory in the first half of 2026, according to league-table data, as a pickup in deal activity across Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA) drove a rebound in dealmaking.
Goldman Sachs took the top spot in mergers-and-acquisitions advisory in the first half of 2026, according to industry league-table data, holding advisory roles on many of the period's largest announced deals.
Much of the pickup came from the region spanning Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA), the data showed. Analysts said greater stability in the interest-rate outlook and firmer confidence in company valuations helped unlock transactions that had been on hold.
The rebound in dealmaking is seen as a positive signal for investment banks, which rely on advisory fees for a large share of revenue. Market participants will watch whether the pace of deals holds up into the second half of the year.
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