Morgan Stanley was the top mergers and acquisitions (M&A) financial adviser in the consumer sector during the first quarter (Q1) of 2026 by both value and volume, according to the latest financial advisers league table by GlobalData, a leading intelligence and productivity platform.

An analysis of GlobalData’s Financial Deals Database reveals that Morgan Stanley achieved the leading position having advised on seven deals worth $51.6 billion.

Aurojyoti Bose, Lead Analyst at GlobalData, comments: “Morgan Stanley showcased improvement in both volume and value of deals advised by it during Q1 2026 compared to Q1 2025. However, the growth was more prominent in terms of value primarily driven by its involvement in a single very high-value deal ($44.8 billion deal for the merger of Unilever’s foods business with McCormick). Interestingly, the other advisers that were also involved in this deal occupied the next three top spots in the value ranking chart and were significantly ahead of their peers.”

Goldman Sachs occupied the second position in terms of value, by advising on $49 billion worth of deals, followed by Rothschild & Co with $46.7 billion, Citi with $44.8 billion whereas and Centerview Partners with $3.8 billion.

Meanwhile, PWC occupied the second position in terms of volume with seven deals, followed by Goldman Sachs with six deals, Rothschild & Co with six deals and Raymond James Financial with five deals.