January 5, 2026

A&M Activist Alert for Europe | Review of 2025 and outlook for 2026

CREATIVE DISRUPTION – OPPORTUNITIES AND CHALLENGES

REVIEW OF 2025 AND OUTLOOK FOR 2026

The creative disruption being generated by artificial intelligence (AI), geopolitical turmoil, and competition from Chinese corporates increasingly moving up the value chain, is presenting both opportunities and challenges. Shareholders will be looking for European corporates to capitalise on the opportunities and mitigate the challenges.

This sixteenth edition of the Alvarez & Marsal Activist Alert (AAA) highlights seven major themes that drive our predictions for shareholder activism in Europe over the next 18 months.


 

 

 

 

Whilst we do not publicly release individual company predictions, we would be delighted to discuss specific AAA modelling and analysis for any particular corporate with a senior member of the company.

Arrange a personalised de-brief with the A&M team by contacting a member of our team in your local region.

Get in touch today

The A&M Activist Alert (AAA) reports provide a comprehensive analysis of shareholder activism trends across Europe and the United States, offering insights into evolving market dynamics, activist strategies, and corporate responses.

In 2026 we launched the U.S. AAA report, our first Activist Alert publication with a U.S. perspective. This inaugural U.S. edition explores the rise in activism post-2024 elections, the role of M&A, and the concept of an Equity Story—a strategic narrative that aligns corporate performance with investor expectations. 

Click here to access the AAA Report for the United States

Related Insights
Increased M&A activity, portfolio optimization, and margin improvement are driving activism in 2026. As deal activity accelerates, scrutiny of strategy and execution is intensifying. Read the report for sector‑specific risks and practical steps to stay ahead of activists.
Corporates in the U.K. targeted by activist funds outperformed the market and global peers before and during the pandemic
A&M analysis finds a compelling link between companies’ ESG ratings and activist targeting
While U.K. remains top European market for activism, Germany and France are increasingly at risk Industrials and Technology identified as key sectors at risk, while Consumer firms continue to fall out of favour.
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