Perspectives that inform the middle market

Economic analysis, proprietary research and policy viewpoints to help you stay ahead of emerging trends affecting your middle market organization.

The Real Economy publication family

From our Middle Market Business Index to quarterly industry trends and monthly economic updates, our reports cover everything middle market business leaders need to know.

What is the middle market?

The middle market is the backbone of the U.S. economy, accounting for one-third of total jobs and 40% of GDP.

Middle market organizations, which make up the “real economy,” are too big to be small and too small to be big. They have distinct challenges and opportunities around resources, labor, technology, innovation, regulation and more.

With proprietary research such as the RSM US Middle Market Business Index, economic insights including The Real Economy, a growing team of analysts dedicated to following trends important to your industry, and a policy arm on the ground in Washington, D.C., RSM does the legwork to keep your organization ahead of issues that affect your bottom line. 

Subscribe to RSM's economic insights

Know what the middle market is thinking and what it should be considering. RSM offers a monthly Real Economy newsletter and quarterly Middle Market Business Index report direct to your inbox. 

Explore the RSM US Middle Market Business Index

Periodic publications that feature additional topical questions asked of MMBI respondents. These special questions can focus on a variety of topics, from cybersecurity concerns to emerging policy impact. Specific data and insights are provided.
MMBI quarterly report
0 min. read

Trending data from the RSM US Middle Market Business Index

In partnership with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, we've collected data on middle market firms since 2015 through quarterly surveys conducted by The Harris Poll. 

The RSM US Middle Market Business Index provides a leading measure on the performance of businesses that make up the heart and soul of our country's economy.

Conducted quarterly using a panel of 700 middle market executives, the MMBI is designed to accurately reflect economic conditions in the middle market.

Workforce special report

Workforce special report

Three years after the start of the pandemic, remote work is becoming a permanent fixture among American middle market businesses, according to a recent survey from RSM US LLP.

What began out of necessity early in the pandemic has become a preference—and middle market businesses, desperate to attract and retain employees, are going along

In the fourth quarter, 33% of middle market executives responding to the RSM survey reported having employees working remotely due to COVID-19 who were not doing so before.

Cybersecurity special report

Cybersecurity special report

The 2023 RSM US Middle Market Business Index Cybersecurity Special Report leverages data from over 400 senior executives of middle market companies, detailing their cybersecurity and privacy challenges, the frequency and severity of attacks, and ongoing concerns. It provides a glimpse into how the largest segment of the U.S. economy is implementing controls and strategies to address security threats, fighting back against cybercriminals and preparing for what’s next.

Supply chain special report

2022 supply chain special report

More than two years into the global pandemic, supply chain snarls persist for a large portion of middle market American businesses, with smaller midsize firms in many respects bearing a significant amount of the pain, according to proprietary data from RSM US LLP—and companies continue to pivot accordingly. 

ESG special report

ESG and climate special report

The growing importance of environmental, social and governance issues has reached an inflection point in the middle market, even in the face of the dramatic economic fluctuations of the past year and a half. Stakeholders’ increased focus on ESG will continue to present immense business opportunities for middle market organizations that position themselves to adapt to these shifting priorities.

Infrastructure special report

Infrastructure special report

After decades of watching America’s infrastructure decline, senior executives at middle market businesses are pushing to fix the nation’s basic systems. In a striking shift in outlook captured in RSM’s proprietary data, executives at midsize companies agree that the state of the nation’s infrastructure is hampering economic growth, not only at the national and local levels, but within their own organizations as well.

Digital transformation special report

2023 RSM US MMBI Digital Transformation Special Report

Technology is evolving, fast-paced and changing how companies do business. Artificial intelligence has the attention of company leaders, and cybersecurity concerns are driving investments in technology, according to data from the second-quarter RSM US Middle Market Business Index survey, which polled executives from April 3–24, 2023.

The survey reveals that for company leaders, digital transformation is more than just upgrades or new platforms. Digital transformation can alter an organization’s trajectory and affect whether the company succeeds or fails.

Funding special report

2023 RSM US MMBI Funding Special Report

As the era of easy money and low-cost financing ends, middle market businesses are facing a reckoning. 

Rising real interest rates are pushing up the cost of commercial and industrial loans, making it harder for these firms to meet payrolls and finance their expansion, according to findings in the third-quarter RSM US Middle Market Business Index survey. The result is a risk to economic growth across the real economy and, potentially, a recession.

Explore the RSM US Middle Market Business Index

Periodic publications that feature additional topical questions asked of MMBI respondents. These special questions can focus on a variety of topics, from cybersecurity concerns to emerging policy impact. Specific data and insights are provided.
0 min. read

Trending data from the RSM US Middle Market Business Index

In partnership with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, we've collected data on middle market firms since 2015 through quarterly surveys conducted by The Harris Poll. 

The RSM US Middle Market Business Index provides a leading measure on the performance of businesses that make up the heart and soul of our country's economy.

Conducted quarterly using a panel of 700 middle market executives, the MMBI is designed to accurately reflect economic conditions in the middle market.

Workforce special report

Three years after the start of the pandemic, remote work is becoming a permanent fixture among American middle market businesses, according to a recent survey from RSM US LLP.

What began out of necessity early in the pandemic has become a preference—and middle market businesses, desperate to attract and retain employees, are going along

In the fourth quarter, 33% of middle market executives responding to the RSM survey reported having employees working remotely due to COVID-19 who were not doing so before.

Cybersecurity special report

The 2023 RSM US Middle Market Business Index Cybersecurity Special Report leverages data from over 400 senior executives of middle market companies, detailing their cybersecurity and privacy challenges, the frequency and severity of attacks, and ongoing concerns. It provides a glimpse into how the largest segment of the U.S. economy is implementing controls and strategies to address security threats, fighting back against cybercriminals and preparing for what’s next.

2022 supply chain special report

More than two years into the global pandemic, supply chain snarls persist for a large portion of middle market American businesses, with smaller midsize firms in many respects bearing a significant amount of the pain, according to proprietary data from RSM US LLP—and companies continue to pivot accordingly. 

ESG and climate special report

The growing importance of environmental, social and governance issues has reached an inflection point in the middle market, even in the face of the dramatic economic fluctuations of the past year and a half. Stakeholders’ increased focus on ESG will continue to present immense business opportunities for middle market organizations that position themselves to adapt to these shifting priorities.

Infrastructure special report

After decades of watching America’s infrastructure decline, senior executives at middle market businesses are pushing to fix the nation’s basic systems. In a striking shift in outlook captured in RSM’s proprietary data, executives at midsize companies agree that the state of the nation’s infrastructure is hampering economic growth, not only at the national and local levels, but within their own organizations as well.

2023 RSM US MMBI Digital Transformation Special Report

Technology is evolving, fast-paced and changing how companies do business. Artificial intelligence has the attention of company leaders, and cybersecurity concerns are driving investments in technology, according to data from the second-quarter RSM US Middle Market Business Index survey, which polled executives from April 3–24, 2023.

The survey reveals that for company leaders, digital transformation is more than just upgrades or new platforms. Digital transformation can alter an organization’s trajectory and affect whether the company succeeds or fails.

2023 RSM US MMBI Funding Special Report

As the era of easy money and low-cost financing ends, middle market businesses are facing a reckoning. 

Rising real interest rates are pushing up the cost of commercial and industrial loans, making it harder for these firms to meet payrolls and finance their expansion, according to findings in the third-quarter RSM US Middle Market Business Index survey. The result is a risk to economic growth across the real economy and, potentially, a recession.

The Real Economy Livestream series

Middle market outlook: Key economic themes for 2024

Join RSM US Chief Economist Joe Brusuelas and U.S. Chamber of Commerce Executive Vice President Neil Bradley as they discuss the current economic climate, including rising U.S. productivity, and the outlook for inflation and hiring.

Meet our economics team
Committed to understanding and decoding the middle market economy

Policy and regulations: A voice for the middle market

RSM is actively engaged on Capitol Hill and elsewhere to lead the middle market conversation.