WFC · News · 20261014N

Investment Banking Demand Trends

WELLS FARGO & COMPANY/MN · 2026-10-14 · Importance 17 · Surprise 24

Wall Street dealmaking slowed during the third quarter as higher borrowing costs and market volatility complicated transactions. The slowdown was concentrated in the later summer and second half of September, when volatility widened valuation gaps between buyers and sellers. Activity was described as delayed rather than canceled, indicating underlying transaction demand remains intact despite near-term execution friction.

Key facts