1st September 2026
The provisional combined number of mergers and acquisitions (M&A) involving a change in majority share ownership was 353 in Quarter 2 (Apr to June) 2026, compared with 407 in Quarter 1 (Jan to Mar) 2026.
The number of combined monthly M&A saw a notable fall between April 2026 (139) and May 2026 (102), before increasing slightly to 112 in June 2026.
The value of inward M&A (foreign companies acquiring UK companies) was £25.4 billion during Quarter 2 2026, £9.7 billion more than in Quarter 1 2026 (£15.7 billion).
The value of domestic M&A (UK companies acquiring other UK companies) was £4.2 billion in Quarter 2 2026, £2.4 billion higher than in Quarter 1 2026, when it was £1.8 billion.
During Quarter 2 2026, the value of outward M&A (UK companies acquiring foreign companies) involving a change in majority share ownership was £2.7 billion, £1.4 billion less than in the previous quarter, when it was £4.1 billion.
Read the full ONS report HERE