APAC deal activity down 27% in H1 as regional transactions slow, says GlobalData
M&A and private equity dealmaking across APAC declined sharply during the first half of 2026, contributing to an overall slowdown in regional transaction activity as investors adopted a more cautious approach to acquisitions, according to new research from GlobalData.
The firm’s latest analysis found that total deal activity across the region fell by approximately 12% year-on-year, with significant declines in both mergers and acquisitions (M&A) and private equity outweighing continued growth in venture capital investment.
Private equity transactions dropped 27% compared with the first half of 2025, while M&A activity declined by around 25%. Venture financing was the only segment to record growth, increasing 5% year-on-year as investors continued to back high-growth technology and innovation-led businesses.
Aurojyoti Bose, lead analyst at GlobalData, said the figures reflect a more selective investment environment across the region.
According to the report, weaker private equity activity reflects longer due diligence processes, valuation uncertainty and a more challenging macroeconomic backdrop, all of which have slowed the pace of new buyout transactions.
Performance varied significantly across individual markets. China recorded a 7% increase in overall deal activity during the period, while India posted modest growth of 1%, suggesting continued investor interest despite a more disciplined investment environment.
In contrast, several major markets experienced substantial declines. Deal volumes fell 40% in Japan, 22% in South Korea, 17% in Australia and 16% in Singapore compared with the first half of last year.
GlobalData expects venture capital activity to remain relatively resilient, supported by investor demand for scalable businesses and emerging technologies. However, the firm believes a broader recovery in M&A and private equity activity will depend on improving market confidence, greater valuation certainty and a stronger willingness among strategic buyers and financial sponsors to execute transactions.
