Capital One released its Middle Market Strategic Investments report, which explores how more than 1,000 U.S. middle market companies (with total annual revenue of $20 million to $2 billion) are responding to a frequently shifting economic landscape and tailoring their investing and business strategies accordingly. Here are some of the key highlights:
- S. middle market companies see strong growth opportunities heading into 2026, with 89% of decisionmakers expressing confidence that their businesses will grow in the next 12 months, while 73% say that the external environment presents more opportunities than challenges for their businesses.
- Even amidst ongoing economic uncertainty, 71% of companies indicated that their total revenue was better than a year ago, while 67% have seen improved profitability, demonstrating resilience and optimism.
- Key to that optimism is alternate financing, including private credit. 50% of middle market businesses have either successfully secured (26%) or are actively pursuing (24%) alternate financing. Private credit accounts for 58% of actively pursued or successfully secured financing.
- 66% of middle market businesses are prioritizing artificial intelligence (AI) investment, with a clear focus on technology to drive efficiency and competitiveness. Crucially, AI is not just a priority, it’s expected to deliver: it’s the area anticipated to yield the biggest return on investment (ROI) over the next 12 months (29%).
