A new survey reveals a significant move by US chief executives towards increased mergers, acquisitions, and artificial intelligence investment as they navigate geopolitical tensions and seek growth opportunities for 2026.
US chief executives are signalling a marked shift back into aggressive dealmaking and technology-led transformation as they enter 2026, according to the latest EY-Parthenon CEO Outlook survey. The research, which polled 320 US CEOs as part of a broader global sample, found that 62% of US leaders intend to pursue mergers and acquisitions in the next 12 months, up sharply from 35% in September 2025.
The firm said this rise reflects a movement from defensive postures to growth-seeking strategies. “US CEOs are moving from a defensive posture to a proactive growth strategy,” Mitch Berlin, EY Americas Vice Chair, EY-Parthenon, said in the announcement. The company claims executives are using transactions to secure technology, skilled personnel and scale as they steer enterprise-wide change.
The survey paints a complex picture: while overall CEO confidence fell modestly , the reported confidence index declining from 83.0 to 78.5 , business leaders remain largely optimistic about their own organisations. The survey suggests nine in ten expect revenue growth and productivity gains to support profitability in 2026, even as concerns about global growth and geopolitical tensions persist.
Geopolitical and trade developments have already reshaped investment plans for many firms. The report says 85% of US CEOs altered strategic investments over the past year: 46% accelerated at least one planned investment, 39% delayed projects and 11% halted them entirely. Rather than dampening ambition, the turbulence appears to be prompting companies to double down on large-scale transformation efforts; the survey reports that 97% of US CEOs are either undertaking or planning enterprise-wide change programmes, with priorities including top-line growth, operational optimisation and customer retention.
Artificial intelligence emerges as a central plank of those plans. According to the survey, 44% of US CEOs identified accelerated AI adoption as the single biggest positive factor for growth in 2026, and 91% view AI as reshaping value creation and operations. At the same time, executives flagged rising cybersecurity threats and the challenge of separating hype from commercially viable use cases as major obstacles to scaled deployment.
The research also points to a broader strategic mix beyond outright acquisitions: a substantial share of respondents signalled interest in partnerships. The survey indicates an increase in plans for joint ventures and strategic alliances, with many leaders seeing collaborations as a way to unlock new capabilities without taking on full acquisition risk.
Taken together, the findings portray a US corporate sector moving from caution to constructive expansion, with dealmaking and AI investment presented as complementary routes to resilience. The firm said the surge in planned M&A reflects executives’ intent to secure the tools and talent needed to compete amid technological disruption and geopolitical uncertainty.
- https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/us-ceos-signal-major-rebound-in-dealmaking-confidence-ma-intent-soars-to-62-in-latest-ey-parthenon-survey-302669316.html – Original press release. View link for all data
- https://www.ey.com/en_us/newsroom/2026/01/us-ceos-signal-major-rebound-in-dealmaking-confidence-m-a-intent-soars-to-62-in-latest-ey-parthenon-survey – The EY-Parthenon CEO Outlook Survey reveals that 62% of US CEOs plan to actively pursue mergers and acquisitions (M&A) over the next 12 months, a significant increase from 35% in September 2025. This shift indicates a move from defensive to proactive growth strategies, with leaders leveraging transactions to acquire technology, talent, and scale necessary for enterprise-wide transformation. The survey also highlights that 97% of US CEOs are undergoing or planning significant enterprise-wide transformation initiatives, with AI adoption being a key driver for growth in 2026.
- https://www.ey.com/en_gl/newsroom/2026/01/ceos-double-down-on-ai-transformation-and-m-and-a-to-drive-growth-amid-uncertainty-in-the-global-economy – The EY-Parthenon CEO Outlook Survey indicates that CEOs are more confident in their companies’ prospects than in the global economy, with 90% expecting revenue growth and productivity gains to support profitability in 2026. Despite external challenges, CEOs are investing in talent and technology transformation, with 40% prioritising customer engagement and retention, and 37% focusing on product and process innovation. The survey also shows that 43% of CEOs plan to optimise operations and improve productivity, including through AI and digitalisation, to adapt to the shifting economic environment.
- https://www.cfo.com/news/american-ceos-bullish-on-m-and-a-in-2026-ey/810526/ – A recent EY survey reveals that 62% of US CEOs plan to actively pursue mergers and acquisitions (M&A) over the next 12 months, up from 35% in September 2025. This trend reflects a shift towards proactive growth strategies, with leaders leveraging transactions to acquire technology, talent, and scale necessary for enterprise-wide transformation. The survey also highlights that 85% of US CEOs have altered their strategic investment plans due to geopolitical and trade policy developments, with 46% accelerating investments and 39% delaying them.
- https://www.ey.com/en_us/ceo/ceo-survey-us-report – The EY-Parthenon CEO Outlook Survey shows a decline in overall CEO confidence from 83.0 to 78.5, reflecting growing unease about global economic growth amid geopolitical tensions and supply chain disruptions. Despite this, CEOs remain optimistic about their companies’ prospects, with 90% expecting revenue growth and productivity gains to support profitability in 2026. The survey also indicates that 97% of CEOs are undergoing or planning significant enterprise-wide transformation initiatives, with AI adoption being a key driver for growth in 2026.
- https://www.ey.com/en_us/ceo/ceo-outlook-global-report – The EY-Parthenon CEO Outlook Survey highlights that 79% of CEOs plan to pursue joint ventures and strategic alliances in 2026, up from 62% in 2025. This trend underscores the appeal of partnerships in unlocking access to new capabilities and advancing strategic priorities. The survey also indicates that 53% of CEOs plan acquisitions aligned with growth priorities such as digitalisation and productivity, despite geopolitical scrutiny reshaping deal strategies.
- https://www.fortuneindia.com/business-news/ceos-double-down-on-ai-transformation-and-ma-to-drive-growth-amid-global-uncertainty-survey/129641 – The EY-Parthenon CEO Outlook Survey reveals that AI is expected to be a key growth driver in 2026, with 58% of CEOs anticipating it will become a major engine of growth over the next two years. However, only 20% of CEOs report that AI has significantly exceeded expectations so far. The survey also indicates that 79% of CEOs plan to pursue joint ventures and strategic alliances in 2026, up from 62% in 2025, highlighting the appeal of partnerships in unlocking new capabilities.
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The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
10
Notes:
The article is recent, published on January 27, 2026, and presents new findings from the latest EY-Parthenon CEO Outlook Survey, indicating a significant increase in M&A intent among US CEOs.
Quotes check
Score:
10
Notes:
Direct quotes from Mitch Berlin, EY Americas Vice Chair, EY-Parthenon, are consistent with the original source, confirming their authenticity.
Source reliability
Score:
10
Notes:
The article originates from PR Newswire, a reputable press release distribution service, and cites EY-Parthenon, a well-established global consulting firm, enhancing its credibility.
Plausability check
Score:
10
Notes:
The reported increase in M&A intent aligns with broader industry trends and previous EY-Parthenon surveys, suggesting the findings are plausible and consistent with current market dynamics.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): PASS
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): HIGH
Summary:
The article presents recent and original findings from the latest EY-Parthenon CEO Outlook Survey, with consistent and verifiable quotes, sourced from a reputable press release, and aligns with industry trends, all without any paywall restrictions. The content is factual, objective, and independent, meeting all verification standards with high confidence.