Perspectives that inform the middle market

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.

While the U.S. labor market has continued to cool, more than half of middle market executives still anticipate moderate to significant hiring needs, according to findings from a recent survey by RSM US LLP. Many of those planning to hire cited a lack of available qualified workers, labor costs and geographic competition as top hurdles they face in staffing open positions. These challenges have moderated significantly over the last several years, though.

The findings from the RSM US Middle Market Business Index survey—fielded in the fourth quarter of 2025—come as artificial intelligence continues to make waves throughout the economy. The results show that new skills training and AI investments top the list of expected workforce investments for middle market firms of all sizes. AI investments are highest among firms with higher revenue, but firms with lower revenue are also now prioritizing spending on both AI and cybersecurity.

The 10^th annual RSM US Middle Market Business Index Special Report: Cybersecurity 2025 found that Cybersecurity remains a prime concern for middle market companies, as evolving risks present nonstop threats to sensitive data and operations. Organizations face a daily challenge as cybercriminals continue leveraging traditional strategies like ransomware to launch harmful attacks, while new technology such as artificial intelligence and geopolitical concerns present elevated risks.

While the threat environment continues to become more complex, reported breaches have declined in new RSM research. According to findings in the Q1 2025 RSM US Middle Market Business Index survey, nearly one in five (18%) middle market companies experienced a data breach in the previous year, falling from a record-high 28% in the previous year's data. Yet with methods becoming more sophisticated, some attacks may go undetected, highlighting the importance of continuously strengthening controls.     

As tariffs shift, supply chain decision makers zero in on technology investments.

As they navigate a changing global trade landscape, supply chain decision makers at middle market companies are prioritizing technology investments, compliance and outsourced services to optimize supply chains further and adapt to changing regulations, according to findings from  RSM's recent survey, fielded in March 2025.

Middle market businesses in the United States and Canada are making strides to adapt to recent or forthcoming sustainability regulations, even while some final rules have yet to be determined, survey research from RSM finds.

Moreover, these companies acknowledge that meeting sustainability requirements in an evolving regulatory landscape requires outside help.

According to the RSM Middle Market AI Survey 2025: U.S. and Canada, generative AI adoption is nearly universal across the middle market, with organizations moving rapidly toward full integration of generative AI into their operations. But while companies are already seeing the benefits of generative AI, they still struggle with data quality and lack the in-house experience that can help them tap into AI’s full potential.