IT Services M&A Update August 2026
Data Analytics and Business Intelligence M&A: strong fundamentals amid short-term repricing
The latest Oaklins IT Services M&A Report with a focus on Data Analytics & Business Intelligence highlights a sector undergoing rapid AI-led transformation. The data analytics market is expected to grow at around 28% annually over the coming decade, with AI-driven analytics already accounting for more than US$40 billion of the estimated US$84 billion market in 2026.
M&A activity remains strong despite the early-2026 market correction, with 365 transactions in 1H26, broadly in line with 1H25. Investor selectivity has increased, favoring businesses with differentiated data, governance and infrastructure capabilities, while valuation premiums remain strongest for scaled, AI-enabled and cloud-based analytics platforms.
Key takeaways:
- Global deal activity remained strong in 1H26, while DACH maintained good momentum following the pickup in 2025.
- PE and PE-backed investors remain highly active, leading DACH activity in 1H26 and continuing to pay premiums for high-quality analytics platforms.
- Median valuations stood at around 2.3x EV/Revenue and 13.9x EV/EBITDA in 1H26, with revenue multiples broadly stable and EBITDA multiples remaining above the long-term median.
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