GITNUXREPORT 2025

Merger And Acquisition Statistics

2022 saw $4.8 trillion in global M&A activity driven by technology growth.

Jannik Linder

Co-Founder of Gitnux, specialized in content and tech since 2016.

First published: April 29, 2025

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Cross-border M&A deals made up roughly 45% of all announced transactions in 2022

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Approximately 50% of M&A deals in 2022 faced regulatory hurdles in various jurisdictions

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The median time to close an M&A deal is approximately 6 months

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Nearly 60% of M&A deals in 2022 were driven by strategic objectives rather than financial engineering

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The integration success rate for M&A deals stands at approximately 60%, according to recent studies

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Public-to-private deals contributed to 12% of the total M&A activity in 2022

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Cybersecurity breaches were a factor in 30% of M&A-related post-merger failures in 2022

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The average due diligence period in M&A transactions was around 3 months in 2022

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Strategic buyers represented 70% of M&A activity in 2022

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The average target company age in 2022 M&A deals was approximately 16 years

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The number of IPOs following M&A (SPACs) increased by 25% in 2022, serving as a strategy for companies to go public

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The average integration period post-merger was approximately 8 months in 2022

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M&A activity in the telecommunications sector grew by 17% in 2022, driven by infrastructure investments

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Approximately 20% of M&A deals in 2022 were hostile takeovers, reflecting increased competitive pressures

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The average deal size in global M&A transactions increased by 20% in 2022 compared to the previous year

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The highest value M&A deal in 2022 was the $80 billion acquisition of Activision Blizzard by Microsoft

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The average premium paid in M&A transactions was around 25% in 2022

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Around 70% of M&A deals in 2022 were financed through debt

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The average valuation multiple for tech companies was 7.5x EBITDA in 2022

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The legal and advisory costs associated with M&A transactions averaged 1.2% of the deal value in 2022

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The median deal size for M&A in the energy sector was about $200 million in 2022

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The average deal size for cross-border M&A transactions in 2022 was approximately $2.3 billion

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The median EV/EBITDA multiple paid rose to 13.2x in 2022 from 11.9x in 2021

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The average internal rate of return (IRR) for private equity-backed M&A deals was approximately 18% in 2022

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The median premium paid in M&A deals in North America was around 22% in 2022

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The average valuation discount for distressed assets was around 35% in 2022, indicating market caution

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The average debt-to-equity ratio for M&A deals was approximately 1.3x in 2022, indicating increased leverage in transactions

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The median return on investment (ROI) for private equity M&A deals was around 16% in 2022, indicating solid performance

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The global M&A market was valued at approximately $4.8 trillion in 2022

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In 2022, the number of announced mergers and acquisitions worldwide was around 35,000

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Private equity firms accounted for approximately 30% of global M&A volume in 2022

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In 2022, the number of mega deals (over $10 billion) increased by 18% compared to 2021

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The technology sector accounted for 55% of all M&A deal volume globally in 2022

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M&A activity in the European region accounted for 35% of global deal volume in 2022

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Consumer technology deals made up about 18% of total M&A deal volume worldwide in 2022

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About 65% of M&A deals in 2022 involved companies with revenues under $500 million, indicating strong activity in small to mid-cap markets

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North America accounted for roughly 60% of global M&A deal volume in 2022

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The number of distressed M&A deals increased by 12% in 2022 as companies faced economic headwinds

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The healthcare M&A market was valued at over $300 billion in 2022, making it one of the largest sectors for deals

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The number of venture-backed M&A deals increased by 22% in 2022, highlighting the intersection of venture capital and M&A

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Approximately 25% of M&A transactions in 2022 involved companies from the Asia-Pacific region

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Approximately 15% of M&A transactions in 2022 involvedutang companies from emerging markets

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The top-performing region for M&A growth in 2022 was Asia-Pacific, with a 30% increase in deal volume

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Technology sector accounted for over 50% of all M&A deals in 2022

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The healthcare sector saw a 25% increase in M&A activity in 2022 compared to 2021

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Companies in the consumer goods sector held around 12% of total M&A deal volume in 2022

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The technology sector’s M&A deal volume increased by 35% in 2022

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Approximately 40% of M&A deals in 2022 involved technology companies acquiring or merging with startups

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The retail sector experienced a 15% decline in M&A activity in 2022 attributed to economic uncertainty

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In 2022, the biotech and pharmaceutical sectors collectively accounted for 22% of M&A deal volume

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The education sector saw a 45% increase in M&A activity in 2022, driven by consolidation in online education platforms

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Technology-related M&A deals accounted for over 30% of total deal value in 2022

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The automotive industry experienced a 10% decline in M&A deal volume in 2022 due to supply chain disruptions

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Mergers and acquisitions involving renewable energy companies increased by 28% in 2022, reflecting a shift towards sustainable investments

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The financial services sector accounted for about 7% of total M&A deal volume in 2022, down from 9% in 2021, due to regulatory challenges

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Key Highlights

The global M&A market was valued at approximately $4.8 trillion in 2022
In 2022, the number of announced mergers and acquisitions worldwide was around 35,000
Technology sector accounted for over 50% of all M&A deals in 2022
The average deal size in global M&A transactions increased by 20% in 2022 compared to the previous year
Private equity firms accounted for approximately 30% of global M&A volume in 2022
Cross-border M&A deals made up roughly 45% of all announced transactions in 2022
The highest value M&A deal in 2022 was the $80 billion acquisition of Activision Blizzard by Microsoft
The healthcare sector saw a 25% increase in M&A activity in 2022 compared to 2021
Approximately 50% of M&A deals in 2022 faced regulatory hurdles in various jurisdictions
The median time to close an M&A deal is approximately 6 months
Companies in the consumer goods sector held around 12% of total M&A deal volume in 2022
The technology sector’s M&A deal volume increased by 35% in 2022
Nearly 60% of M&A deals in 2022 were driven by strategic objectives rather than financial engineering

The global M&A market surged in 2022, hitting a staggering $4.8 trillion with over 35,000 deals—including the record-breaking $80 billion Microsoft acquisition—highlighting a year of rapid growth, technological dominance, and strategic reshuffling across industries worldwide.

Deal Dynamics and Strategic Factors

Cross-border M&A deals made up roughly 45% of all announced transactions in 2022
Approximately 50% of M&A deals in 2022 faced regulatory hurdles in various jurisdictions
The median time to close an M&A deal is approximately 6 months
Nearly 60% of M&A deals in 2022 were driven by strategic objectives rather than financial engineering
The integration success rate for M&A deals stands at approximately 60%, according to recent studies
Public-to-private deals contributed to 12% of the total M&A activity in 2022
Cybersecurity breaches were a factor in 30% of M&A-related post-merger failures in 2022
The average due diligence period in M&A transactions was around 3 months in 2022
Strategic buyers represented 70% of M&A activity in 2022
The average target company age in 2022 M&A deals was approximately 16 years
The number of IPOs following M&A (SPACs) increased by 25% in 2022, serving as a strategy for companies to go public
The average integration period post-merger was approximately 8 months in 2022
M&A activity in the telecommunications sector grew by 17% in 2022, driven by infrastructure investments
Approximately 20% of M&A deals in 2022 were hostile takeovers, reflecting increased competitive pressures

Deal Dynamics and Strategic Factors Interpretation

In 2022, nearly half of all M&A deals crossed borders amidst regulatory maze and cyber threats, with strategic motives guiding most transactions, yet only 60% succeeded in integration—highlighting that while globalization and ambition drive dealmaking, complex hurdles and cybersecurity pitfalls still challenge the path to post-merger success.

Financial Metrics and Valuation

The average deal size in global M&A transactions increased by 20% in 2022 compared to the previous year
The highest value M&A deal in 2022 was the $80 billion acquisition of Activision Blizzard by Microsoft
The average premium paid in M&A transactions was around 25% in 2022
Around 70% of M&A deals in 2022 were financed through debt
The average valuation multiple for tech companies was 7.5x EBITDA in 2022
The legal and advisory costs associated with M&A transactions averaged 1.2% of the deal value in 2022
The median deal size for M&A in the energy sector was about $200 million in 2022
The average deal size for cross-border M&A transactions in 2022 was approximately $2.3 billion
The median EV/EBITDA multiple paid rose to 13.2x in 2022 from 11.9x in 2021
The average internal rate of return (IRR) for private equity-backed M&A deals was approximately 18% in 2022
The median premium paid in M&A deals in North America was around 22% in 2022
The average valuation discount for distressed assets was around 35% in 2022, indicating market caution
The average debt-to-equity ratio for M&A deals was approximately 1.3x in 2022, indicating increased leverage in transactions
The median return on investment (ROI) for private equity M&A deals was around 16% in 2022, indicating solid performance

Financial Metrics and Valuation Interpretation

In 2022, M&A activity demonstrated a blockbuster appetite with a 20% jump in deal sizes and hefty premiums averaging 25%, all fueled by debt—now more than ever, corporate climbing is a high-stakes, levered game where tech valuations soared, distressed assets took a discount, and private equity delivered a solid 16% ROI amid a landscape of billion-dollar cross-border ambitions and escalating valuation multiples.

Market Size and Deal Volume

The global M&A market was valued at approximately $4.8 trillion in 2022
In 2022, the number of announced mergers and acquisitions worldwide was around 35,000
Private equity firms accounted for approximately 30% of global M&A volume in 2022
In 2022, the number of mega deals (over $10 billion) increased by 18% compared to 2021
The technology sector accounted for 55% of all M&A deal volume globally in 2022
M&A activity in the European region accounted for 35% of global deal volume in 2022
Consumer technology deals made up about 18% of total M&A deal volume worldwide in 2022
About 65% of M&A deals in 2022 involved companies with revenues under $500 million, indicating strong activity in small to mid-cap markets
North America accounted for roughly 60% of global M&A deal volume in 2022
The number of distressed M&A deals increased by 12% in 2022 as companies faced economic headwinds
The healthcare M&A market was valued at over $300 billion in 2022, making it one of the largest sectors for deals
The number of venture-backed M&A deals increased by 22% in 2022, highlighting the intersection of venture capital and M&A

Market Size and Deal Volume Interpretation

In 2022, the global M&A market soared to nearly $4.8 trillion with a surge in mega deals and venture-backed transactions, driven predominantly by technology and North America, while smaller companies and distressed assets played a pivotal role amid economic headwinds—proving that even in uncertain times, corporate ambitions and strategic consolidations remain unstoppable.

Regional and Market Environment

Approximately 25% of M&A transactions in 2022 involved companies from the Asia-Pacific region
Approximately 15% of M&A transactions in 2022 involvedutang companies from emerging markets
The top-performing region for M&A growth in 2022 was Asia-Pacific, with a 30% increase in deal volume

Regional and Market Environment Interpretation

As the Asia-Pacific region outpaces others with a 30% surge in deal volume, it becomes clear that while emerging markets and Asia-Pacific companies make up a significant slice of the M&A pie, the real growth story is the region's commanding rise to the merger and acquisition spotlight in 2022.

Sector-Specific M&A Trends

Technology sector accounted for over 50% of all M&A deals in 2022
The healthcare sector saw a 25% increase in M&A activity in 2022 compared to 2021
Companies in the consumer goods sector held around 12% of total M&A deal volume in 2022
The technology sector’s M&A deal volume increased by 35% in 2022
Approximately 40% of M&A deals in 2022 involved technology companies acquiring or merging with startups
The retail sector experienced a 15% decline in M&A activity in 2022 attributed to economic uncertainty
In 2022, the biotech and pharmaceutical sectors collectively accounted for 22% of M&A deal volume
The education sector saw a 45% increase in M&A activity in 2022, driven by consolidation in online education platforms
Technology-related M&A deals accounted for over 30% of total deal value in 2022
The automotive industry experienced a 10% decline in M&A deal volume in 2022 due to supply chain disruptions
Mergers and acquisitions involving renewable energy companies increased by 28% in 2022, reflecting a shift towards sustainable investments
The financial services sector accounted for about 7% of total M&A deal volume in 2022, down from 9% in 2021, due to regulatory challenges

Sector-Specific M&A Trends Interpretation

In 2022, while technology continued to dominate M&A activity with over half of all deals—bolstered by a 35% surge and tech startups fueling nearly 40% of transactions—the healthcare and online education sectors experienced explosive growth, contrasting with retail’s decline amidst economic uncertainty and traditional industries like automotive slowing down amidst disruptions, all highlighting a strategic pivot towards innovation and sustainability.