Our quarterly report focuses on:
Transaction volume
US divestiture transaction volume increased from 454 in Q4 2025 to 503 in Q1 2026. Divestiture transactions made up 25% of total M&A activity in Q1 2026, up from 23% in Q4 2025, signaling a greater willingness among companies to divest non-core assets.
Transaction size
In Q1 2026, US deal activity shifted toward larger transaction sizes. Deals of more than $1 billion increased to 36% of disclosed deal volume in Q1 2026, from 29% in Q4 2025, while transactions under $250 million declined to 36% of deal volume in Q1 2026, from 44% in Q4 2025.
Acquiror type
Domestic strategic buyers accounted for 50% of buyers in divestiture transactions in Q1 2026, unchanged from 50% in Q4 2025. Private equity deals increased slightly to 37% in Q1 2026, from 35% in Q4 2025. Foreign strategic buyers represent 13% of buyers in Q1 2026 relative to 15% in Q4 2025.
Industry focus
Industrials continued to lead divestitures in Q1 2026, accounting for 16% of transactions, down from 19% in Q4 2025. High technology surpassed financials to rank second, comprising 14% of all transactions, while health care ranked third at 11%.
Europe
Divestitures deal activity among European acquirors increased to 34 transactions in Q1 2026, compared to Q4 2025 and Q3 2025 with 28 and 30 transactions, respectively.
Americas
Divestiture activity in the Americas increased in Q1 2026, compared to Q4 2025. The Americas completed 432 transactions in Q1 2026, compared to 386 transactions in Q4 2025.
Asia
Divestiture activity in Asia decreased by 35.0% quarter over quarter in Q1 2026, compared to Q4 2025. Asian acquirors closed 12 deals in Q1 2026, compared to 17 in Q4 2025.
1 Refinitiv data as of April 12, 2026.
2 Ibid.
Learn more about the trends from 2021-2024 by downloading the following reports