Global mergers and acquisitions (M&A) activity hit an all-time high in the first six months of 2021, with deals worth more than $2.6tn, up from $926bn years on year and surging past the pre-pandemic five-year average of $1.6tn.

According to a new analysis by EY Global, more than half of the activity was recorded in North America, which saw deals worth $1.4tn (up f