Global mergers and acquisitions (M&A) surpassed the $1 trillion mark in the third quarter of 2025, signaling a renewed wave of corporate dealmaking after a period of economic uncertainty. According to market analysts, this milestone reflects improving investor confidence, a more favorable interest rate environment, and increasing strategic consolidation across key industries.
The most prominent transaction of the quarter was the $55 billion leveraged buyout of gaming giant Electronic Arts (EA). The deal, led by a consortium of private equity firms, is considered one of the largest takeovers in the video game industry’s history. Analysts note that this acquisition not only underscores the growing value of interactive entertainment but also highlights private equity’s willingness to deploy large amounts of capital into high-growth sectors.
Other major deals contributing to the trillion-dollar total included multibillion-dollar acquisitions in healthcare, energy, and technology, where companies continue to pursue consolidation in search of scale, efficiency, and competitive advantage.
Market experts believe that the surge in dealmaking is also fueled by expectations of slower inflation and a gradual easing of monetary policy by central banks. With borrowing costs stabilizing, corporations and private equity funds are more willing to engage in large-scale transactions that had been postponed during the previous cycle of high interest rates.
Despite the positive momentum, risks remain. Geopolitical tensions, regulatory scrutiny of megadeals, and potential volatility in global markets could temper the pace of M&A activity in the coming quarters. Still, with deal volume at its highest level since 2021, many analysts expect strong activity to continue into early 2026.