Global M&A Hits $2.6 Trillion in 2025 with $155 Billion AI Spend, Apple Acquisitions, and $31 Billion Amazon Capex

Global mergers and acquisitions (M&A) activity has reached a peak of $2.6 trillion year-to-date in 2025, driven in large part by investments in artificial intelligence (AI) and growth strategies. AI-focused companies saw a 35% increase in deal count during the first half of 2025, according to Crunchbase data. Major technology firms including Meta, Microsoft, Amazon, and Alphabet have collectively spent $155 billion on AI this year, with capital expenditures expected to rise to $400 billion next year to support AI infrastructure and data centers. Apple has made seven acquisitions in 2025, integrating AI across its platforms to advance its capabilities amid competitive pressures. Amazon reported strong retail performance with high-margin advertising growing by 300 basis points to 22%, the highest since Q4 2024, and a 4% increase in paid units in Q1. The company’s web sales rose 12%, outpacing shipping cost increases of 6%, while staffing levels remained nearly flat. Amazon’s quarterly capital expenditure reached a record $31 billion, a 26% increase from Q1 and nearly double that of Q2 2024, largely driven by investments in AWS and AI. Despite AWS’s high margins, returns remain modest, as Amazon continues to focus on retail asset efficiency. These developments highlight the substantial financial commitments by leading tech companies to AI and digital infrastructure as a key growth driver in 2025.