The total number of deals (mergers & acquisitions (M&A), private equity and venture capital (VC)) announced across the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region year-on-year (YoY) decreased by around 11% during January–July 2026, reflecting a broad-based cooling in deal-making appetite, reveals GlobalData, a leading intelligence and productivity platform.
Aurojyoti Bose, Lead Analyst at GlobalData, comments: "The overall contraction underscores a more selective deal environment across the region pointing to a more cautious deal-making stance amid tighter financing conditions, where investors and corporates have continued to prioritize discipline, and clearer visibility on earnings and exit pathways."
An analysis of GlobalData's Financial Deals Database reveals that by deal type, the region's performance was defined by a pronounced pullback in M&A deal volume. Outweighing Modest Growth in Venture Capital. Private equity deal volume also fell significantly.
The total number of M&A deals announced in the APAC region fell by around 22% YoY during January-July 2026, making it the primary driver of the regional slowdown. whereas private equity deal volume declined by around 25%. Meanwhile, venture capital activity showcased resilience with the deal volume increasing by 3% YoY, indicating continued support for innovation-led themes albeit within a more conservative approach.
Bose adds: "The divergence among deal types suggests that risk capital is increasingly flowing toward selective growth opportunities. Lower M&A volumes indicate that boards may be delaying acquisitions and focusing instead on operational priorities. Meanwhile, the retreat in private equity activity signals continued pressure on leveraged deal economics, longer diligence cycles, and greater scrutiny."
Market-level performance across APAC region was mixed, with China and India acting as relative stabilizers. China posted 6% YoY growth, standing out against the regional downturn and reinforcing its role as a key engine of APAC deal flow. India also recorded marginal 1% growth. However, these gains were insufficient to offset weakness in several other major markets.
Bose concludes: "Japan saw the sharpest decline (38%), exerting significant downward pressure on overall APAC activity. Australia, South Korea, and Singapore each recorded double-digit contractions, indicating a region-wide recalibration in corporate dealmaking."
Note: Historic data may change in case some deals get added to previous months because of a delay in disclosure of information in the public domain.
