Goldman Sachs and Houlihan Lokey lead North American M&A financial advisers in Q1–Q3 2026
Goldman Sachs led North American M&A advisers by deal value ($510.5bn) in Q1–Q3 2026, while Houlihan Lokey topped by deal volume (161). JPMorgan, Morgan Stanley, Bank of America, and Wells Fargo followed in value rankings. Morgan Stanley, JPMorgan, and Goldman Sachs ranked high in volume. Goldman Sachs saw a 42.1% year-on-year value increase, advising on 17 mega deals (>$10bn).
How this was made
The 30-second read
Why it matters
Provides a snapshot of advisory market share but does not introduce new deal announcements or earnings guidance.
Market read
Advisory rankings are informational for investors in financial‑services stocks but lack immediate price‑moving catalysts.
What to watch
Potential upcoming regulatory changes or macro‑economic slowdown could affect advisory activity despite strong rankings.
Background
The article reports GlobalData's Q1‑Q3 2026 league tables for M&A advisory firms in North America, ranking them by deal value and volume.
Ticker impact
Goldman Sachs ranked first among M&A advisers in North America by deal value for Q1‑Q3 2026.
likely little to no immediate price movement
Advisory rankings are informational and typically do not move the stock unless tied to a specific deal.
Houlihan Lokey led the M&A adviser rankings by deal volume for Q1‑Q3 2026.
likely little to no immediate price movement
Volume rankings are a metric of activity, not a direct market catalyst.
JPMorgan ranked second by deal value ($359bn) and second by volume (110 deals) for Q1‑Q3 2026.
likely little to no immediate price movement
The data is a ranking update, not a deal announcement that would affect the stock price.
Morgan Stanley ranked third by deal value ($351.9bn) and second by volume (119 deals) for Q1‑Q3 2026.
likely little to no immediate price movement
Advisory rankings are informational and rarely cause immediate price changes.
Bank of America advised on $217.6bn of deals, ranking fourth by value for Q1‑Q3 2026.
likely little to no immediate price movement
No new transaction disclosed; ranking alone is not a price catalyst.
Wells Fargo advised on $215.7bn of deals, ranking fifth by value for Q1‑Q3 2026.
likely little to no immediate price movement
Advisory volume/value rankings do not directly affect stock price.
Jefferies advised on 91 deals, ranking seventh by volume for Q1‑Q3 2026.
likely little to no immediate price movement
No specific deal disclosed; ranking alone is informational.
Market effects
Highlights the competitive landscape among top M&A advisory banks in North America.
North American investment banking sector may see modest re‑rating of advisory capabilities.
Limited; primarily of interest to investors tracking financial‑services firms.
Counterpoint
Rankings may overstate future deal flow; actual earnings impact depends on deal profitability.
Key entities
- companyGoldman Sachs
Top adviser by deal value.
- companyHoulihan Lokey
Leader by deal volume.
- companyJPMorgan
Second by value and volume.
- companyMorgan Stanley
Third by value, second by volume.
