Displeasure with Capitol Hill

*Top Concerns Are Taxes and Compliance with Affordable Care Act: However, the optimism of middle market executives is not without its challenges. While most are worried about economic uncertainty in the United States and globally (81% and 70%, respectively), there are also concerns about potential tax increases (74%), compliance with the Affordable Care Act (70%) and compliance with government regulations (66%). In addition, 54% said they believed rising interest rates would have a negative impact on their business.

*Uncertainty and Talent Management: Looking ahead to the next 12 months, middle market executives express concern about talent management with 59% concerned about their ability to retain top talent, and 60% with their ability to hire top talent.

*Focused on Growth and Expansion: Respondents report that over the next 12 months their companies are likely to: increase the range of products and services they offer (59%); expand into adjacent markets (55%) and increase the size of their workforce (46%).

*Balancing the Budget: Indicative of their lack of optimism in the strength of the U.S. economy and overall poor job performance rating for Congress, a vast majority of middle market executives (80%) reported that balancing the federal budget will have a significant impact on their business.

*Satisfaction with Financing: Overall satisfaction with financing remained high. Eight in ten middle market executives (81%) report that they are satisfied with their company’s access to financing, as well as the cost of financing for their company (80%). Most also say that they are satisfied with the variety of financing alternatives available to their company (79%).