Goldman Sachs Forecasts 15% Surge in M&A as 'Deal Winter' Ends, Predicting $5 Trillion in Global Deal Values in 2026

Goldman Sachs forecasts a 15% surge in M&A volume for 2026, marking the end of the "deal winter." The forecast is fueled by stabilizing interest rates, massive corporate cash reserves, and a race to secure AI infrastructure. The market is already seeing the first ripples of this wave, with global deal values projected to approach $5 trillion. The surge is expected to be driven by a shift towards strategic, high-conviction growth and a structural "innovation supercycle."