GlobalData has announced its latest Financial and Legal Adviser League Tables, which rank advisers according to the total value and volume of merger and acquisition (M&A) deals on which they acted as advisers in the automotive sector during Q1–Q3 2026.
Financial Advisers
Mitsubishi UFJ Financial and Morgan Stanley were the leading M&A financial advisers in the automotive sector during Q1–Q3 2026
Mitsubishi UFJ Financial and Morgan Stanley were the leading financial advisers for mergers and acquisitions (M&A) in the automotive sector during the first three quarters (Q1–Q3) of 2026 in terms of value and volume, respectively, according to the latest financial advisers league table published by GlobalData, a leading intelligence and productivity platform.
An analysis of GlobalData’s Deals Database reveals that Mitsubishi UFJ Financial took the lead in terms of value by advising on deals worth $29.7 billion. Meanwhile, Morgan Stanley led in terms of volume by advising on four deals.
Aurojyoti Bose, Lead Analyst at GlobalData, comments: “Morgan Stanley’s ranking by volume improved from third place during Q1–Q3 2025 to the top spot during Q1–Q3 2026. It also held ninth place by value.”
“Meanwhile, the total deal value for Mitsubishi UFJ Financial was more than 10 times that of the adviser in second place. Its involvement in the $29.3 billion deal for Toyota Asset Preparatory’s acquisition of a stake in Toyota Industries played a pivotal role in placing it well ahead of its peers.”
Evercore, Lazard and UBS jointly ranked second by value, with each advising on deals worth $2.1 billion.
Meanwhile, Jefferies ranked second in terms of volume with three deals, followed by Houlihan Lokey with three deals, and Mitsubishi UFJ Financial with two deals.
Legal Advisers
Kirkland & Ellis and White & Case are the leading M&A legal advisers in the automotive sector for Q1–Q3 2026
Kirkland & Ellis and White & Case were the leading legal advisers on mergers and acquisitions (M&A) in the automotive sector during the first three quarters (Q1–Q3) of 2026 in terms of value and volume, respectively, according to the latest legal advisers league table published by GlobalData, a leading intelligence and productivity platform.
An analysis of GlobalData’s Deals Database reveals that Kirkland & Ellis achieved its leading position in terms of value by advising on deals worth $3.4 billion. Meanwhile, White & Case led in terms of volume by advising on a total of 10 deals.
Aurojyoti Bose, Lead Analyst at GlobalData, comments: “White & Case was the only adviser to achieve a double-digit deal volume during Q1–Q3 2026. It was also the leading adviser by volume during Q1–Q3 2025.”
“Although Kirkland & Ellis advised on only half as many deals as White & Case, it topped the rankings by value during Q1–Q3 2026 due to its involvement in two billion-dollar deals*.”
Baker McKenzie ranked second in terms of value, having advised on deals worth $3.4 billion, followed by Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison with $2.1 billion, CMS with $1.8 billion, and Sullivan & Cromwell with $1.8 billion.
Meanwhile, CMS ranked second in terms of volume with six deals, followed by Weil, Gotshal & Manges with six deals, Kirkland & Ellis with five deals, and DLA Piper with five deals.
*Deals valued at $1 billion or more
