Ropes and Gray data placed aggregate global monthly deal value in June 2026 at more than 650 billion dollars, marking an 8 percent rise from May and a 71 percent increase year over year. Strategic buyer deal value climbed 11 percent to over 560 billion dollars on the back of 10 transactions each exceeding 10 billion dollars. The advisory firm’s Dealmaker’s Digest for the period noted that deal count slipped 4 percent to around 3,300 transactions, the lowest level in nearly three years.
Global deal value for the first half of the year surpassed half year peaks recorded during the 2021 boom, Law360 reported on July 1 2026. The publication attributed the surge to massive strategic deals and technology transactions even as the market remained uneven. Industry trackers cautioned that second half performance would hinge on the absence of additional geopolitical shocks.
Activity moderated sharply in July with aggregate global deal value falling 39 percent to approximately 410 billion dollars, the lowest monthly total since January according to the Ropes and Gray assessment published in August. Strategic buyer deal value dropped 55 percent month on month to about 260 billion dollars while overall deal count declined 28 percent to just over 2,600 transactions. Industrials and business services sectors together accounted for roughly one third of July deals by volume.
Among the largest transactions SpaceX agreed to acquire Cursor in a 60 billion dollar deal that bolstered June figures in the technology sector, Ropes and Gray figures show. Martin Marietta combined with Lhoist in a 13.5 billion dollar cash and stock transaction that ranked as one of the top industrials deals while Solstice moved to buy Element Solutions for 14.5 billion dollars in a major U.S. strategic acquisition. The companies announced the agreements during the June to August window.
Law360 reported on July 1 that Kroger Co. signed a 1.65 billion dollar agreement to acquire regional grocer Giant Eagle with planned divestitures to satisfy regulatory requirements. In a separate transaction CMA CGM Group agreed to purchase FedEx Corp.’s supply chain unit for 1.4 billion dollars. Jones Day advised Kroger on its deal while Baker McKenzie represented FedEx in the supply chain sale.
United Therapeutics Corp. agreed to buy preclinical stage biotech firm Thymmune for up to 300 million dollars, the publication noted on July 2. Genel Energy moved to acquire Capricorn Energy for around 360 million dollars in a transaction aimed at reducing reliance on the Kurdistan region of Iraq. Both deals closed within the summer period covered by the digest.
The industrials sector remained highly active alongside healthcare and information technology across the three months, with later stage financings contributing significant value in select markets. Blakes data highlighted strong Canadian activity including Waabi’s 850 million dollar Series C round. Ropes and Gray projected continued momentum in sponsor backed transactions despite the monthly fluctuations.
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