Why 2026 Is Shaping Up to Be a Pivotal Year for M&A Communications

After a stretch defined by caution and uneven deal flow, new research from Deloitte suggests confidence is returning to the M&A market. At the same time, volatility is not going away.

Deloitte’s newly released 2026 M&A Trends Survey: A Tale of Two Markets reflects how dealmakers are thinking right now. The survey, which gathered insights from 1,500 corporate and private equity leaders across the U.S., points to growing optimism paired with a more realistic view of risk. Leaders are no longer waiting for perfect conditions. Instead, they are learning how to move forward in a mixed and often unpredictable environment.

The numbers tell that story clearly. Ninety percent of private equity respondents and 80 percent of corporate leaders expect to complete more deals in 2026. Expectations around total deal value are also strong, with more than four in five respondents anticipating increases. But this is not blind enthusiasm. Compared with last year, fewer leaders expect a dramatic surge in deal volume, signaling a more disciplined and selective approach.

What is driving that caution? Uncertainty. Market volatility jumped significantly as the top concern impacting deal success, cited by 29 percent of respondents. Capital costs remain elevated, which continues to influence how deals are financed. Private credit and non bank lenders remain the preferred financing options, while cash is also coming off the sidelines in a more meaningful way than in prior years.

One of the more interesting takeaways from the survey is what Deloitte describes as a “two market” dynamic. Large transactions gained momentum in the second half of 2025, while smaller and mid sized deals are also creating real opportunities for value. For many organizations, that means navigating very different deal profiles at the same time.

For communications leaders, none of this is abstract. M&A today unfolds in full view, across media, social channels, investor communications and internal platforms. Employees, regulators, investors and activists are paying attention earlier and reacting faster. Deals are judged not just on strategy and numbers, but on credibility, clarity and trust.

That is why CommPRO will be exploring these issues in depth during our March webinar, Navigating the New M&A Landscape. The discussion will focus on what today’s environment means for communicators who are supporting transactions under intense scrutiny. From managing expectations and regulatory pressure to preparing for activism and rapid narrative shifts, communications is now central to deal success.

As dealmakers look ahead to 2026 with cautious optimism, one thing is clear. Strong M&A outcomes increasingly depend on strong communications. Understanding the forces shaping today’s market is no longer optional. It is essential.

Read Deloitte’s 2026 M&A Trends Survey for the full findings.