India’s deal value touches $12.7 bn in Aug led by large-ticket PE investments

New Delhi, Sep 9 (AHN) India’s deal activity continued to accelerate in August, with 242 transactions worth $12.7 billion, making it the third-highest monthly value recorded in 2026, a report said on Wednesday.

Mergers and acquisitions (M&A) and Private Equity (PE) together recorded 212 deals worth $8 billion, up 12 per cent in volumes and 10 per cent in values over July.

The month saw the return of large-ticket PE investments, which overtook M&A as the primary driver of deal values. Two billion-dollar transactions collectively accounted for 41 per cent of combined M&A and PE values.

“Large-ticket private equity investments emerged as the key driver of deal values, supported by strong inbound activity and active capital markets,” said Shanthi Vijetha, Partner, Growth, Grant Thornton Bharat.

Broad-based participation across healthcare, financial services, energy and manufacturing underscores continued investor confidence and the depth of opportunities in the Indian market, Vijetha added.

M&A activity remained healthy, with 85 deals worth $3.5 billion, the highest monthly volumes in the last three months, the firm said.

M&A volumes rose 12 per cent over July, but values declined 42 per cent due to the lower number of large-ticket transactions. Domestic transactions continued to anchor activity, accounting for 79 per cent of M&A volumes, while cross-border deals remained the key value contributor.

PE/VC activity recorded its strongest month of 2026 by value, with 127 deals worth $4.5 billion, with values rising sharply on the back of larger transaction sizes, the report noted.

Retail & Consumer remained the most active PE sector by volume, with 33 deals, up 57 per cent from July, although deal values remained relatively modest.

Public market activity maintained its strong momentum in August, with 19 IPOs raising $3.4 billion and 11 QIPs raising $1.3 billion.

The report noted that continued activity across IPOs, QIPs, private capital and strategic transactions points to sustained investor confidence and attractiveness of India’s capital markets and broader dealmaking landscape.

—AHN

aar/pk