The U.S. recorded 372 large-company bankruptcies during the first six months of 2026, the highest first-half total in 16 years, marking the fourth consecutive year-over-year increase for the period.

Corporate Bankruptcies Continue To Climb

The Kobeissi Letter, in a post on X, citing data from S&P Global Market Intelligence, said large-company bankruptcies continued to accelerate in the first half of 2026.

The first-half total also exceeded the 317 large-company bankruptcies recorded during all of 2022, and marked the highest January-to-June reading since 2010.

Both May and June recorded 72 filings, tying for the third-highest monthly total since July 2020.

Industrial Companies Lead Filings

Industrial companies accounted for 50 bankruptcy filings through the first half of the year, the highest among all sectors, followed by consumer discretionary with 35 filings and healthcare with 26.

The sector breakdown showed the rise in bankruptcies was spread across multiple industries rather than concentrated in a single part of the economy, with industrial companies continuing to account for the largest share of filings.

High Borrowing Costs Weigh

Separate data from Epiq AACER and the American Bankruptcy Institute (ABI) showed total U.S. bankruptcy filings rose 12% year over year to 310,550 during the first six months of 2026, while commercial filings increased 13% to 17,285.

Commercial chapter 11 filings climbed 28% to 4,589 over the same period.

"Higher borrowing costs, increasing expenses, and geopolitical volatility are leading more debtors to turn to the bankruptcy system to restructure obligations and pursue a financial fresh start," said Amy Quackenboss, Executive Director at ABI.