ACG New York, the largest association of middle-market deal making professionals in New York, today announced the results of its Annual Middle Market Survey, which found that the majority of respondents believe private equity investments will outperform the stock market as measured by the S&P 500. The results are based on the responses from more than 125 ACG New York members who are leading dealmakers in the middle market.

The recently conducted survey found that 73 percent of respondents expect private equity investments to outperform the S&P 500 in 2015. On the other hand, responses were mixed when asked to predict private equity's ability to raise additional capital in 2015 compared to 2014; approximately 27% said it would be more difficult, while approximately 28% and 45% indicated it would be less difficult or the same as 2014, respectively.

"ACG members have their fingers on the pulse of middle market M&A trends and have been able to consistently provide credible and useful insight into future market activity," said Randy Schwimmer, ACG New York Board Member. "Of particular interest is the Fed and interest rates.  According to our survey, 41 percent of respondents believe the Fed will start to increase interest rates in the third quarter of 2015, compared to only 22 percent who believe interest rates will remain unchanged this year.  It will be very interesting to see how this plays out and what effect changes in interest rates might have on M&A activity."

When asked to predict year-end 2015 employment compared to year-end 2014, 73 percent believe their firm will increase (hiring) while only 5 percent believe it will decrease hiring. Specific to expected hiring activity, 60 percent have plans to increase the hiring of deal professionals. Relative to the overall market, more than half of the respondents (61 percent) believe that companies involved in M&A transactions in the New York Metro Area will be stronger.

This survey was conducted online and at ACG New York events on behalf of ACG New York between throughout December 2014 and January 2015. There were a total of 129 participants, both male and female who work in the middle market. Full survey data is available upon request.

ACG New York, Inc., the founding chapter of The Association for Corporate Growth, is the largest association of middle-market deal making and corporate professionals in New York, with more than 1,000 members across all industry sectors.  ACG New York facilitates long term relationship building, driving middle-market growth.  ACG's members are focused on investing private capital, which benefits the pension funds held by municipal workers, fireman, policeman, health workers and others that provide years of service for the public good.