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
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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

Cybersecurity has been a main concern for middle market companies in recent years, although the specific threats are constantly in flux. The past year has been no different. Organizations encountered a roller coaster of risks, from lingering threats related to the COVID-19 pandemic to geopolitical conflicts and economic uncertainty underscored by the war in Ukraine. 

22% of executives said their company experienced a breach last year, while 72% expect unauthorized users will attempt access this year.

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.

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

Cybersecurity has been a main concern for middle market companies in recent years, although the specific threats are constantly in flux. The past year has been no different. Organizations encountered a roller coaster of risks, from lingering threats related to the COVID-19 pandemic to geopolitical conflicts and economic uncertainty underscored by the war in Ukraine. 

22% of executives said their company experienced a breach last year, while 72% expect unauthorized users will attempt access this year.

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.

Discussing the economic challenges ahead

Join our Chief Economist Joe Brusuelas and U.S. Chamber of Commerce Executive Vice President Neil Bradley for their discussion on matters affecting middle market businesses.

From workforce and supply chain challenges to addressing consumer behaviors and profitability, they’ll examine the economic headwinds facing companies and how businesses can address ongoing risks and challenges. 

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.