Global M&A deals reach record $2.8tn in 1st half amid fight for AI lead

Business trendsUS tech companies' race spills over into energy, related sectorsSpaceX's purchase of xAI was the most valuable M&A deal in the first half of this year. © ReutersMIYU FUKAWAJuly 31, 2026 01:37 JSTTOKYO -- Mergers and acquisitions worldwide reached a total value of $2.84 trillion in the January-June period, topping the previous first-half record marked in 2021, as big U.S. tech companies race to dominate artificial intelligence and related sectors such as energy.