Barclays and KPMG top automotive M&A financial advisory rankings in first half of 2025

In the automotive sector’s mergers and acquisitions (M&A) realm for the first half (H1) of 2025, Barclays and KPMG have asserted their dominance as the premier financial advisers, as indicated by the latest financial advisers league table from GlobalData, a prominent data and analytics company.

Barclays has clinched the top position in terms of value, advising on deals amounting to a substantial $2.2 billion. Meanwhile, KPMG took the lead by volume, offering advisory services on four significant transactions. Notably, Barclays also secured the second spot in terms of volume, with three deals under its belt, trailing behind KPMG. Lazard and Kotak Mahindra Bank are tied for third place with advisory roles in two deals each.

Aurojyoti Bose, the lead analyst at GlobalData, shed light on the significance of these rankings, stating, “Although KPMG led in terms of volume, it fell short concerning value. In contrast, Barclays, even though it was involved in relatively fewer deals, managed to top the charts in terms of value.” Bose emphasized the instrumental role played by Barclays in clinching the top spot by value during H1 2025, particularly due to its involvement in a $1.4 billion acquisition deal concerning Dowlais and American Axle & Manufacturing.

JP Morgan and Rothschild & Co followed closely behind in terms of deal value, securing the second spot individually with deals valued at $1.4 billion each. Additionally, Lazard and Goldman Sachs advised on deals amounting to $735 million each.

The league tables constructed by GlobalData are meticulously crafted based on real-time tracking of numerous company websites, advisory firm websites, and other credible sources in the secondary domain. The dedicated team of analysts diligently monitors these sources to amass comprehensive details for each deal, which include the names of the advisers involved.

For added data robustness, GlobalData actively seeks submissions of deals from prominent advisers within the industry to augment the quality and accuracy of their analyses. This practice ensures that the league tables accurately reflect the landscape of financial advisory roles within the automotive M&A sector.

Overall, Barclays and KPMG’s prowess in financial advisory services in the automotive sector during H1 2025 has solidified their positions as industry leaders, setting the benchmark for excellence in advisory roles for mergers and acquisitions in the rapidly evolving automotive landscape.