Global M&A by the Numbers: Q3 2024

Global M&A activity saw positive signs in Q3 as inflation continued to decline, credit conditions improved with central bank rate cuts and equity markets posted strong year-to-date returns. Deal counts held steady at 9,141 (+6% over Q3’23), in line with the median number of deals per quarter over the last six quarters at 9,114. Total transaction values rose quarter-overquarter (+9%) and year-over-year (+23%), aided by eight megadeals (> $10B). Corporate divestitures also reached their highest quarterly transaction total ($162B) since Q3’21. Notable divestitures included Deutsche Bahn’s sale of Schenker AG to DSV A/S, EchoStar ’s sale of DISH to DIRECTV and Discover’s sale of its private student loan portfolio to KKR and Carlyle.