Advisory Firm M&A Activity Remains Strong in H1 2026

Mergers and acquisitions among advisory and consulting firms continued at a record pace during the first half of 2026, despite mixed expectations around firm valuations. According to industry analysts, strong buyer interest in specialist advisory businesses is sustaining deal activity even as market conditions become more selective.

The report indicates that buyers—including private equity firms, wealth management companies, and strategic acquirers—continue to pursue firms with expertise in digital transformation, regulatory compliance, cybersecurity, AI advisory, and financial consulting. While valuation expectations have moderated compared with previous years, demand for high-quality advisory businesses remains resilient.

Industry experts note that acquisitions are increasingly driven by capability expansion rather than geographic growth. Buyers are targeting firms with niche expertise, recurring revenue, and strong client relationships, allowing them to broaden service portfolios and accelerate growth without lengthy organic investment.

Private equity firms remain among the most active investors in the advisory sector. Their focus is on building larger, integrated consulting platforms through a series of strategic acquisitions. This consolidation trend is reshaping the competitive landscape, enabling firms to offer end-to-end advisory services across finance, technology, operations, and risk management.

Analysts expect M&A momentum to remain strong throughout the second half of 2026 as firms continue to seek scale, specialized talent, and technology capabilities. Although valuation expectations differ between buyers and sellers, the long-term outlook for advisory-sector consolidation remains positive.