M&A Volume Expected to Stay Strong in Second Half, Says Sullivan

M&A volume is expected to remain strong in the second half of 2026, according to Melissa Sawyer, head of global mergers and acquisitions at Sullivan & Cromwell. Bloomberg Markets reported that Sawyer cited the variety, range, and scope of deals in the market as indicators that transaction volumes will continue at elevated levels. The outlook provides insight into how legal advisors and investment banks are assessing the M&A pipeline as the year progresses.

Key takeaways
Sullivan & Cromwell's global M&A head expects transaction volumes to stay strong in the second half of 2026.
The variety, range, and scope of current deals suggest continued market activity, according to the source.
For investors and market readers, M&A volume can signal corporate confidence, capital allocation trends, and sector rotation.
Market readers may watch future deal announcements, regulatory developments, and macroeconomic conditions that influence transaction activity.

Table of Contents
Market move
Key drivers
What comes next

Market move

According to Bloomberg Markets, Melissa Sawyer stated that the variety, range, and scope of deals currently in the market suggest that M&A volume will continue to remain strong in the second half of 2026. Sawyer serves as head of global mergers and acquisitions at Sullivan & Cromwell, a major law firm advising on corporate transactions. The statement reflects the firm's view of the transaction pipeline based on its advisory work and market observations.

The source context does not provide specific deal counts, transaction values, sector breakdowns, or comparisons to prior periods. However, the reference to variety, range, and scope suggests that deal activity spans multiple industries, transaction sizes, and deal structures. For market readers, law firm commentary can offer a useful perspective on the M&A environment, as these firms often have early visibility into transaction pipelines before deals are publicly announced.

Key drivers

M&A volume is influenced by a combination of corporate strategy, financing conditions, regulatory environment, and macroeconomic outlook. In general market context, companies pursue mergers and acquisitions to achieve scale, enter new markets, acquire technology or talent, consolidate industries, or divest non-core assets. Transaction activity tends to increase when corporate boards and management teams have confidence in their ability to execute deals, integrate operations, and deliver returns to shareholders.

Financing conditions also play a central role in M&A activity. When credit markets are accessible and interest rates are manageable, companies and private equity firms can finance acquisitions through a mix of cash, debt, and equity. Regulatory scrutiny, antitrust review timelines, and cross-border approval processes can also influence deal timing and structure. For readers following broader market updates , M&A volume can serve as a barometer of corporate confidence and capital allocation priorities across sectors.

What comes next

Market readers may watch for future deal announcements, sector-specific transaction trends, and any changes in regulatory or macroeconomic conditions that could influence M&A activity. Law firm commentary, investment bank league tables, and public company earnings calls often provide additional detail on transaction pipelines and strategic priorities. Investors may also monitor financing conditions, including corporate bond spreads, leveraged loan markets, and equity market valuations, as these factors can affect the feasibility and pricing of acquisitions.

Without additional details on specific deals, sectors, or transaction values, the source-confirmed statement should be treated as a qualitative assessment of the M&A environment from a leading legal advisor. Readers interested in M&A trends may benefit from tracking future disclosures, regulatory filings, and market data that provide more granular insight into transaction volumes, deal structures, and sector rotation. The outlook for the second half of 2026 will depend on how corporate strategy, financing conditions, and regulatory developments evolve in the coming months.

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