2026 Middle Market Trends Report: Insights from Business Owners

Each year, our Middle Market Survey concentrates on the most pressing issues for middle market executives as they look ahead into the coming year. Shifting market dynamics and complex problems are a fixture in the modern business landscape, requiring business owners to be aware of a myriad of emerging issues and trends to remain successful. 

The 2026 Middle Market Trends Report revealed the following trends:

• Middle market business owners are optimistic for 2026, expecting higher economic performance than 2025.
• Most survey respondents believe that inflation will stabilize around 2%.
• Tariffs have caused price increases for most middle market business owners.
• The middle market is utilizing AI to various degrees.
• Cyber breaches and cybercrimes are on the rise; more than half of survey participants indicated that they have been victimized.

Business owners shared their opinions on these trends and more.

Complete the form to download our analysis, compare these trends with your own opinions, and turn your focus to 2026.