Visualizing the Middle Market

Visualizing the Middle Market

The Middle Market not only accounts for a third of private sector GDP and jobs, but over the last four years it’s been leading the way in terms of viability, resilience and growth, according to a new study from GE Capital.

When it comes to economic development and employment growth, people tend to focus on either small local businesses or large multi-national corporations. But what about the gap in the middle? To learn more, GE Capital partnered with The Ohio State University Fisher College of Business to conduct the largest-ever study of American mid-market businesses.

A new study from GE examines the middle market with an interactive graphic.

Despite the recession, the sector has prospered. Between 2005 and 2010, the top 20% of Middle Market companies with public financing grew at an average annual rate of over 26%—nearly 10 times the rate of GDP growth. In fact, a number of Middle Market businesses did so well they actually grew out of the sector. A full 27% of all large companies in 2010 were Middle Market firms in 2005—and this dramatic growth occurred while the U.S. economy as a whole was shrinking.

View the “Leading from the Middle (Market)” data visualization.