Growth rate slowing, risk perception growing in middle market

The growth rate is slowing and the perception of risk is escalating among middle market companies, according to the latest Middle Market Indicator (MMI) survey from Chubb and the National Center for the Middle Market (NCMM).

Issued quarterly, the MMI explores current and emerging macro trends along with business risks across the middle market, measuring past and predicted revenue growth, employment growth, economic confidence levels and business investment.

"The insights gleaned from the MMI survey help us better understand the evolving needs of our clients," said Ben Rockwell, chief underwriting officer, Chubb Commercial Insurance. "In fact, the recent survey data revealed that an increased number of middle market executives identified legal, regulatory and compliance-related risk as a top concern. It is critical, therefore, for middle market companies to have the right insurance solutions in place to help mitigate these complex exposures."

In the third quarter, 48 percent of survey respondents predicted risk for their company would increase over the coming year, while 47 percent believe risk within their industry will trend higher over the same time period. Top concerns among executives polled include: cybersecurity (46 percent), which was the leading concern for both prior quarters this year; the state of the economy at it relates to costs (38 percent); the state of the economy as it relates to growth (35 percent); legal, regulatory or compliance risk (33 percent); and competitive risks – whether domestic or new/disruptive competitors (31 percent).

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