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Indian M&A Surges 76% Overseas Amidst Global Slowdown
22 Sep
Summary
- Outbound M&A value soared 76% to $8.8 billion in the first seven months of 2026.
- Indian companies are acquiring capabilities and market access abroad.
- Inbound deal value and domestic M&A saw significant declines.
In the first seven months of 2026, Indian companies substantially ramped up their overseas acquisitions, with the value of outbound M&A surging by 76% to reach $8.8 billion. This increase outpaced the global trend, where overall dealmaking saw a slowdown.
The rise in overseas deal value was driven by fewer but larger transactions, indicating a strategic focus on acquiring capabilities and market access abroad. Companies are seeking to expand global supply chains, tap into developed markets, and obtain technologies difficult to build domestically.
This outward investment momentum contrasts sharply with the domestic and inbound M&A landscape. Inbound deal value, representing foreign acquisitions of Indian companies, plummeted by 58%, while domestic M&A activity saw a 14% decline. Overall deal volumes in India fell approximately 20% during January-July.
Despite the broader market slowdown, which BCG attributes to greater selectivity rather than a capital shortage, Indian M&A announcements have been rewarded by investors. Deals made by listed Indian companies in 2026 generated a median 30-day relative shareholder return of 3.7%, a marked improvement compared to previous years.
