Goldman Sachs and Houlihan Lokey were the top mergers and acquisitions (M&A) financial advisers in the consumer sector during the first three quarters (Q1-Q3) of 2026 by value and volume, respectively, according to the latest financial advisers league table by GlobalData, a leading intelligence and productivity platform.

An analysis of GlobalData’s Deals Database reveals that Goldman Sachs achieved the leading position in terms of value by advising on $57.1 billion worth of deals. Meanwhile, Houlihan Lokey led in terms of volume by advising on a total of 19 deals.

Aurojyoti Bose, Lead Analyst at GlobalData, comments: “Houlihan Lokey was the top adviser by volume during Q1-Q3 2025 and managed to lead the table by this metric during Q1-Q3 2026 despite a year-on-year (YoY) drop in the total number of deals it advised on.

“Meanwhile, Goldman Sachs saw more than a five-fold YoY jump in the total value of deals it advised on during Q1-Q3 2026. Resultantly, its ranking by value improved from fourth to the top position. The involvement in the $44.8 billion merger of Unilever’s Foods business with McCormick played a pivotal role in Goldman Sachs securing the top spot by value.”

Citi occupied the second position in terms of value, by advising on $56.5 billion worth of deals, followed by Morgan Stanley with $54.1 billion, Rothschild & Co with $46.8 billion and Bank of America with $13 billion.

Meanwhile, PWC occupied the second position in terms of volume with 15 deals, followed by Morgan Stanley with 14 deals, Rothschild & Co with 13 deals and Goldman Sachs with 10 deals.