Mergers and acquisitions in Argentina increased 38% to reach US$4672 million in the first half of the year

In the first half of 2026, mergers and acquisitions (M&A) in Argentina saw a 38% increase in investment value, reaching US$4.672 billion. The data was released by Aon plc in collaboration with TTR Data and Datasite, detailing 129 transactions between January and June of this year. This represents a 5% decline in the number of deals compared to the same period in 2025. The report highlighted that the rise in transaction values reflects growing investor interest in the Argentine market, particularly in sectors such as energy, oil and gas, technology, software, and food. The largest deal of the period was the acquisition of Raízen’s assets in Argentina by Mercuria, a Swiss energy trading company. Valued at approximately US$1.42 billion, the transaction was completed through Mercuria's subsidiaries Latam Downstream Holdings Ltd. and Silver Projects I S.A.U. The deal included the purchase of 894 Shell service stations, representing 19% of the country’s fuel distribution market, along with control over the Dock Sud refinery, two lubricant plants, two airports, and two fuel terminals. Another notable transaction was the sale of the state-owned Energía Argentina (Enarsa) stake in Citelec, which controls Transener, to Edison Energía for around US$356 million. This operation further underscored the attractiveness of Argentina’s energy sector to strategic investors. Other significant deals included Tenaris acquiring Artram Steel Tubes for US$101 million, Banco Patagonia purchasing GPAT Compañía Financiera for US$57 million, and Tomeos y Competencias acquiring Carburando for US$25 million. Carlos Dorado, head of M&A and Transaction Solutions for Hispanic South America at Aon, noted that as the year progresses, Argentina is gaining more attention from investors. He pointed to the potential for growth and consolidation opportunities in key industries such as energy, mining, infrastructure, technology, and food as factors driving this increased interest. On a regional level, Latin America recorded 1,062 transactions totaling US$49.107 billion up to June 2026. These figures mark a 30% decrease in the number of transactions and a 6% drop in their total value compared to the same period in 2025. Brazil led the region with 593 deals, though this represented a 35% annual decline. However, Brazil managed a 15% increase in capital moved, reaching US$32.557 billion, making it one of the few countries showing positive results alongside Argentina, Colombia, Mexico, and Peru. Chile ranked second in the region, although it experienced a 13% reduction in volume with 163 transactions and a 13% decline in capital moved, achieving US$3.595 billion. Argentina placed third, demonstrating a distinct trend within Latin American markets.