Morgan Stanley tops APAC M&A financial adviser rankings for 2025

Morgan Stanley emerged as the premier financial adviser for mergers and acquisitions (M&A) in the Asia-Pacific region during the year 2025, as per data extrapolated from GlobalData’s recent league table. They clinched the top spot in both value and volume metrics, as per GlobalData’s Financial Deals Database.

Morgan Stanley was the key player in 63 transactions across the region, amassing a total deal value of $59.2 billion. Trailing behind, Goldman Sachs secured the second position in terms of deal value, managing advisory duties for transactions worth $24.5 billion. UBS followed suit in third place with transactions valued at $21.2 billion, whereas JPMorgan and Citi held the fourth and fifth positions with deal values of $18.4 billion and $16.3 billion, respectively.

In the realm of deal volume, UBS bagged the second spot with a total of 36 deals. Nomura and Ernst & Young advised on an equal number of deals, standing at 21 each, while Goldman Sachs closed off the top five by advising on 20 deals throughout the year. GlobalData’s Lead Analyst Aurojyoti Bose weighed in, stating, “Morgan Stanley was well ahead of other advisers in terms of value as well as volume in 2025.” The report highlighted Goldman Sachs as a distant second with deals valued at $24.4 billion, while UBS was the runner-up in terms of volume, handling 36 deals.

GlobalData’s league tables are structured around the real-time tracking of numerous company websites, advisory firm websites, and other reputable sources within the secondary domain. A dedicated team meticulously monitors and compiles details for each transaction, leveraging adviser names from a myriad of sources. For an added layer of accuracy, the company invites submissions of deals from prominent advisers to fortify the data.

In conclusion, Morgan Stanley’s performance in the 2025 APAC M&A financial adviser rankings underscored their dominance in both deal value and volume metrics, solidifying their position as a frontrunner in the region. Moving forward, the financial landscape is poised for evolution, with key stakeholders poised to adapt to emerging trends and opportunities to harness growth and success in the ever-evolving financial domain.