https://www.live-feeds.com/feed/wall-street-s-merger-frenzy-takes-a-third-quarter-breather-chart-of-the-dayContinuously updated, source-cited coverage. https://www.live-feeds.com/feed/wall-street-s-merger-frenzy-takes-a-third-quarter-breather-chart-of-the-dayhttps://www.live-feeds.com/feed/wall-street-s-merger-frenzy-takes-a-third-quarter-breather-chart-of-the-day#u108210Wed, 07 Oct 2026 08:16:20 +0000Global mergers and acquisitions slowed down during the third quarter, creating a setback for dealmakers chasing a record year. Investment bank merger and acquisition fees fell by 18 percent as megadeals dried up. Total activity slipped by 10 percent following a strong start to the year. Rising borrowing costs cut into the deal rush, raising questions about whether the broader transaction boom has come to an early end after a momentum-heavy first half.Why it mattersWall Street bankers previously enjoyed a merger boom driven by large transactions that began in the spring. However, the third-quar