M&A Deals for Listed Korean Firms Declined in H1 2026
Quick Look
The number of listed South Korean firms involved in M&A deals decreased by 2.6% to 75 in the first half of 2026 compared to the previous year, with a significant 82.9% plunge in appraisal rights payments, according to data from the Korea Securities Depository.
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Why It Matters
Data from the Korea Securities Depository indicated a decrease in M&A deals involving listed firms in South Korea during the first half of 2026.
SEOUL, July 22 (Yonhap) -- The number of listed firms involved in merger and acquisition (M&A) deals fell from a year earlier in the first half of 2026, data showed Wednesday.
A total of 75 listed firms were involved in either a completed or an ongoing M&A deal as of end-June, according to the data from the Korea Securities Depository.
The figure marks a 2.6 percent decline from a year ago.
By market, 22 firms were listed on the country's main bourse, the KOSPI, while the remaining 53 were companies listed on the secondary KOSDAQ market.
The total amount of appraisal rights payment plunged 82.9 percent on-year to 5.4 billion won (US$3.6 million), the latest findings showed.
Open Questions
- Why did M&A deals decline in H1 2026?
- What are the implications for KOSPI and KOSDAQ firms?
