Deal Drivers: EMEA provides an in-depth review of M&A activity in 2025.

The great concentration

The prevailing M&A trend in EMEA is one of heavy concentration, with buyers showing a marked preference for high-quality assets. Deal volume in the region has slumped to the lowest quarterly mark seen in more than three years – 3,711 transactions were announced in Q3, down 23.4% year-on-year. In contrast, aggregate value surged to €307.1bn, up 41.6% on the year, nearing the highs seen during 2022.

PE polarization

Private equity activity mirrored the broader market tilt toward fewer, larger deals. Buyout volumes fell 28.5% to 653, the lowest quarterly total in many years, yet value climbed by 52.3% year-on-year to €88.8bn.

Regional outlook

In Mergermarket’s most recent forward-looking heat chart tracking ‘companies for sale’ stories, DACH stands out as the clear hotspot in EMEA, with 419 prospective deals – comfortably ahead of the UK & Ireland (379) and Turkey, Middle East & Africa (309).

Published in association with Datasite. The report is also available on datasite.com.