Monthly Dealtracker: May 2026
Thought leadershipIndia’s dealmaking environment continued to demonstrate resilience in May 2026, supported by sustained activity across mergers and acquisitions, private equity, and public markets.
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The April edition of the Monthly Dealtracker presents a consolidated view of transaction activity across mergers and acquisitions, private equity and public markets. The edition reflects steady deal volumes supported by strong deal values, shaped by select large transactions and disciplined capital deployment.
Outbound activity features prominently, demonstrating expanding cross border ambitions among corporates, while domestic activity continues to provide a stable base for deal flow. Private equity investment shows focused participation, with capital aligning towards scaled platforms and high conviction opportunities. This publication offers an integrated perspective on market direction, transaction themes and sectoral momentum observed during the month, grounded in announced and closed deals across the ecosystem.
April 2026 recorded 103 M&A transactions worth USD 18.7 billion, marking the highest monthly deal value since May 2022. The surge was driven by a series of marquee outbound transactions, led by Sun Pharmaceutical Industries’ USD 11.8 billion acquisition of US-listed Organon & Co.— the largest overseas acquisition by an Indian pharmaceutical company till date. As a result, deal values rose sharply by 955% month-on-month, while volumes increased 10%.
Cross-border activity showed a divergent trend. While inbound deal volumes remained stable, values declined significantly. In contrast, outbound M&A gained substantial momentum, with volumes rising 31% and values reaching record highs, resulting in 21 outbound deals worth USD 17.7 billion — the strongest month on record for overseas acquisitions by Indian companies.
PE recorded 109 deals worth USD 3.2 billion, marking the lowest monthly volumes for the year. Despite the volume dip, deal values remained resilient, at the second-highest monthly level, year-to-date. This indicated a shift towards fewer but large-ticket transactions.
Consumer and IT & ITeS continued to dominate deal volumes, reflecting broad-based activity across growth-stage and technology-led businesses. Pharmaceuticals emerged as the leading contributor by value, followed by Real estate and Infrastructure, and Manufacturing driven by large strategic transactions and private investments.
India’s dealmaking environment continued to demonstrate resilience in May 2026, supported by sustained activity across mergers and acquisitions, private equity, and public markets.
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