3Q Middle Market Report Shows Continued Growth, But Tariff Fears Taking Their Toll Putting Profitability at Risk

COLUMBUS, Ohio, Oct. 24, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Middle market companies turned in another strong, high-growth performance, but concern over costs and supply chain shifts, predominantly driven by tariffs, is increasing among executives. Data from the 3Q 2018 Middle Market Indicator (MMI) released today by the National Center for the Middle Market (NCMM) reveals that the year-over-year growth rate jumped to 8.6 percent, up from 7.4 percent last quarter, and is the second highest average in the past three years.

Economic confidence bounced back from a dip it took last quarter, especially confidence in the global economy, which ticked up from 75 percent last quarter to 80 percent this quarter. National and local confidence remain at near-record highs at 88 percent and 93 percent respectively. Reflecting this confidence, 35 percent of middle market companies plan to expand into new domestic markets, while 41 percent expect to do so next year.

Amid this robust outlook, middle market executives agree by a two-to-one margin that tariffs will have a negative impact on their businesses. A third of the executives indicated profits will suffer; more than half will be raising prices. Companies in the core middle market – $50 to $100 million in annual revenue – are the hardest hit. In addition, business relationships may be strained; nearly half the companies in the wholesale, manufacturer, retail and construction industries say tariffs will cause them to seek new suppliers or renegotiate terms of existing contracts.

"It is clear that the prospect of trade war weighs heavily on companies that are big enough to participate in the global marketplace, but don't have the international operations that allow them to shift production from one side of a border to another," said NCMM Executive Director Thomas A. Stewart. "At the same time, however, economic confidence indicators show executives are still very bullish about their companies' prospects."

During the third quarter of 2018, hiring remained strong. Companies added jobs at a 6.4 percent annual rate, which is similar to year-ago levels. The vast majority of middle market companies (nearly 80 percent) believe their current workforce is in line with company needs but are seeking to add jobs in the areas of operations (69 percent) and IT (59 percent), with most positions being full-time employment. 

Talent continues to lead the list of challenges facing middle market executives. Cost concerns dropped from 26 percent last quarter to 19 percent but are significantly higher than they were a year ago. Health care costs and rising wages are listed as key concerns going forward, along with concern about government policies and actions, which rose to 25 percent compared to 20 percent last quarter.

"While costs are a challenge to note for middle market companies this quarter, talent management and core business issues, like pricing and generational divisiveness are still major hurdles in the long and short-term," said NCMM Managing Director Doug Farren. "Executives are expressing less confidence about the business climate than they did a few months ago, and some of that appears to be because of the uncertainty or anxiety about government actions."

For additional survey data and infographics, including in-depth looks at regional variations, hiring/talent acquisition efforts and other business concerns among middle market companies, visit http://www.middlemarketcenter.org.

About the Middle Market Indicator (MMI)

The MMI, which was created in 2012, surveys 1,000 executives (CEOs, CFOs and other financial decision makers) from the middle market each quarter to examine topics related to business capabilities, performance, growth drivers and economic outlook among other topics. This quarter's MMI was fielded during the first two weeks of June 2018. It is weighted to accurately reflect the size, industry-wide and geographic distribution of this sector, which includes companies ranging from $10 million to $1 billion in annual revenue. The survey is conducted by RTi Research on behalf of the National Center for the Middle Market.

About the National Center for the Middle Market (NCMM)

The National Center for the Middle Market is a collaboration between The Ohio State University's Fisher College of Business, SunTrust Banks, Cisco Systems, Inc., and Grant Thornton LLP. It exists for a single purpose: to ensure that the vitality and robustness of Middle Market companies are fully realized as fundamental to our nation's economic outlook and prosperity. The Center is the leading source of knowledge, leadership, and innovative research on the middle market economy, providing critical data analysis, insights, and perspectives for companies, policymakers, and other key stakeholders, to help accelerate growth, increase competitiveness and create jobs in this sector.

Housed at The Ohio State University's Fisher College of Business, the National Center for the Middle Market is the first center of its kind in the nation. The Center enthusiastically serves middle market firms, students, academic researchers, policy makers, the media and other key stakeholders with interests in the health and well-being of the middle market. The Center is fully committed to funding and distributing the most credible open-sourced research, dynamically creating new knowledge, providing programs that drive value for middle market companies, and offering a well-informed outlook on the health and future of the middle market via the Middle Market Indicator.

SOURCE National Center for the Middle Market

Related Links

http://www.middlemarketcenter.org