ACG New York, the largest association of middle market deal making professionals in New York, announced today the results of its annual Year-End Middle Market Survey, which found strong optimism for middle market M&A activity in 2017. The results are based on a survey of more than 90 leading deal making professionals.

"Every year-end we turn to ACG members to gain insight into their expectations for the middle market M&A environment for the upcoming year; this year's survey is particularly significant due to the recent president election. In spite of the political and economic rollercoaster that took us all for a ride second half of 2016, we are pleased to report favorable optimism for 2017, with 80 percent of respondents indicating they expect the U.S. economy will be stronger than 2016," said David Hellier, President, ACG New York. "Of particular interest, this year's survey indicated 76 percent of participants believe middle market deal making will be stronger in 2017 versus 2016; conversely, during last year's survey, only 50 percent polled believed 2016 would be stronger than 2015."

When it comes to the Trump Administration taking office, 84 percent of respondents predict that the incoming administration will have a positive impact on the middle market. Additionally, 79 percent believe the Trump Administration will have a positive impact on private equity's ability to raise new capital.

In addition to expressing optimism towards the state of the economy and incoming administration's impact on M&A activity, 74 percent predict that private equity investment returns will outperform venture capital and hedge funds in 2017.