CBIZ Q4 2025 Mid-Market Pulse: Cost Pressures Define 2026 Strategy
CBIZ (NYSE:CBZ) released the Q4 2025 Mid‑Market Pulse, a national quarterly survey of more than 1,200 clients and client service professionals on business sentiment heading into 2026. The report finds cost pressures and policy uncertainty are top concerns: 62% cite rising healthcare and employee benefit costs as harmful, 59% report negative effects from tariffs and trade policy, and 36% flag cost of capital and access to financing as a major challenge. Despite headwinds, leaders prioritize disciplined investment in compliance, technology, and workforce development. The survey also notes 44% saw benefits from AI and digital transformation while 7% reported harm. Sector stress is highest in construction, healthcare, and consumer products.
CBIZ (NYSE:CBZ) ha diffuso il Q4 2025 Mid‑Market Pulse, un sondaggio nazionale trimestrale di oltre 1,200 clienti e professionisti del servizio clienti sull'umore imprenditoriale in vista del 2026. Il rapporto rileva che le pressioni sui costi e l'incertezza normativa sono le principali preoccupazioni: 62% cita l'aumento dei costi sanitari e dei benefit per i dipendenti come dannosi, 59% segnala effetti negativi da tariffe e politiche commerciali, e 36% segnala il costo del capitale e l'accesso al finanziamento come sfide importanti. Nonostante le difficoltà, i leader danno priorità a investimenti disciplinati in conformità, tecnologia e sviluppo della forza lavoro. L'indagine evidenzia anche che il 44% ha tratto beneficio dall'IA e dalla trasformazione digitale, mentre il 7% ha riferito danni. Lo stress del settore è maggiore nel settore delle costruzioni, della sanità e dei beni di consumo.
CBIZ (NYSE:CBZ) presentó el Q4 2025 Mid‑Market Pulse, una encuesta nacional trimestral de más de 1,200 clientes y profesionales de servicios al cliente sobre el sentimiento empresarial de cara a 2026. El informe encuentra que las presiones de costos y la incertidumbre política son las principales preocupaciones: 62% citan que el aumento de los costos de atención médica y de beneficios para los empleados es perjudicial, 59% reportan efectos negativos por aranceles y políticas comerciales, y 36% señalan el costo de capital y el acceso a la financiación como un gran desafío. A pesar de las dificultades, los líderes priorizan una inversión disciplinada en cumplimiento, tecnología y desarrollo de la fuerza laboral. La encuesta también señala que 44% obtuvieron beneficios de la IA y la transformación digital, mientras que 7% informaron daños. El estrés sectorial es más alto en construcción, atención sanitaria y productos de consumo.
CBIZ (NYSE:CBZ)는 2025년 4분기 Mid‑Market Pulse를 발표했다. 2026년을 앞두고 있는 국내의 분기별 설문으로 1,200명 넘는 고객 및 고객 서비스 전문가를 대상으로 한 조사다. 보고서는 비용 압력과 정책 불확실성이 최우선 관심사라고 밝히고 있다: 62%가 건강 관리 및 직원 혜택 비용의 상승을 해로웠다고 보고하고, 59%는 관세와 무역 정책에서의 부정적 영향을 보고하며, 36%는 자본비용과 금융 접근성을 주요 도전과제로 지적했다. 역풍에도 불구하고 리더들은 컴플라이언스, 기술, 직무 개발에 대한 규율 있는 투자를 우선시한다. 설문은 또한 44%가 AI와 디지털 전환에서 혜택을 보았다고 보고했고 7%는 피해를 보고했다. 분야별 스트레스는 건설, 의료 및 소비재에서 가장 높다.
CBIZ (NYSE:CBZ) a publié le Q4 2025 Mid‑Market Pulse, une enquête nationale trimestrielle menée auprès de plus de 1,200 clients et professionnels du service client sur le sentiment des entreprises en prévision de 2026. Le rapport révèle que les pressions sur les coûts et l'incertitude politique sont les principales préoccupations : 62% citent l'augmentation des coûts des soins de santé et des prestations pour les employés comme nuisibles, 59% signalent des effets négatifs des tarifs et de la politique commerciale, et 36% indiquent le coût du capital et l'accès au financement comme un défi majeur. Malgré les vents contraires, les dirigeants privilégient un investissement discipliné dans la conformité, la technologie et le développement de la main-d'œuvre. L'enquête note également que 44% ont bénéficié de l'IA et de la transformation numérique, tandis que 7% ont signalé des dommages. Le stress sectoriel est le plus élevé dans la construction, les soins de santé et les produits de consommation.
CBIZ (NYSE:CBZ) veröffentlichte den Q4 2025 Mid‑Market Pulse, eine nationale, vierteljährliche Umfrage von mehr als 1.200 Kunden und Fachleuten im Kundendienst zur Geschäftsstimmung für 2026. Der Bericht zeigt, dass Kostenbelastungen und politische Unsicherheit zu den Hauptanliegen gehören: 62% geben an, dass steigende Kosten für Gesundheitsleistungen und Mitarbeiterbenefits schädlich sind, 59% berichten von negativen Auswirkungen durch Zölle und Handelspolitik, und 36% kennzeichnen die Kosten des Kapitals und den Zugang zur Finanzierung als große Herausforderungen. Trotz Gegenwind priorisieren Führungskräfte eine disziplinierte Investition in Compliance, Technologie und Personalentwicklung. Die Umfrage vermerkt auch, dass 44% Vorteile durch KI und digitale Transformation sahen, während 7% Schaden berichteten. Die sektorale Belastung ist am höchsten im Bauwesen, im Gesundheitswesen und in Konsumgüterbranchen.
CBIZ (NYSE:CBZ) صدر عن Q4 2025 Mid‑Market Pulse، وهو مسح وطني ربع سنوي يشمل أكثر من 1,200 عميلاً ومحترفين في خدمة العملاء حول معنويات الأعمال المتجهة نحو 2026. يشير التقرير إلى أن ضغوط التكاليف وعدم اليقين السياسي هما من أبرز المخاوف: 62% يشيرون إلى أن ارتفاع تكاليف الرعاية الصحية وامتيازات الموظفين ضار، و59% يبلغون عن آثار سلبية من الرسوم الجمركية والسياسة التجارية، و36% يشيرون إلى تكلفة رأس المال وإمكانية التمويل كتحدي رئيسي. على الرغم من الرياح المعاكسة، يعطي القادة الأولوية لاستثمار منضبط في الامتثال والتقنية وتطوير القوى العاملة. كما يلاحظ المسح أن 44% رأوا فوائد من الذكاء الاصطناعي والتحول الرقمي بينما 7% أبلغوا عن ضرر. الإجهاد القطاعي أعلى في البناء والرعاية الصحية والمنتجات الاستهلاكية.
- Survey sample includes >1,200 clients and professionals
- 44% reported AI and digital transformation benefited business
- Companies maintain investment in compliance, technology, and workforce
- 62% said rising healthcare and employee benefit costs harm business
- 59% reported negative effects from tariffs and trade policy
- 36% cited cost of capital and access to financing as significant challenge
National quarterly survey reveals that healthcare, tariffs, and financing costs are top challenges shaping business decisions for middle-market leaders
Cleveland, Nov. 04, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Cost pressures are amongst the top concerns for mid-market leaders according to the latest CBIZ Mid-Market Pulse. CBIZ, Inc., a leading national professional services advisor, released its latest quarterly survey and analysis of business sentiment. The report details how mid-market companies are entering 2026 with a renewed focus on cost discipline and operational resilience.
The CBIZ Mid-Market Pulse draws on insights from more than 1,200 CBIZ clients and client service professionals and found that rising costs and policy uncertainty have the greatest impact on business performance.
Key Findings from the Q4 Mid-Market Pulse:
62% of leaders said rising healthcare and employee benefit costs harm their business.59% reported negative effects from tariffs and international trade policy.36% said that cost of capital and access to financing remain significant challenges.
Despite these headwinds, businesses are maintaining their footing through disciplined investment in compliance, technology, and workforce development. These are categories that most leaders say remain “untouchable” even amid tighter budgets.
“Mid-market leaders are being deliberate about every discretionary dollar spent,” said Jerry Grisko, President and CEO of CBIZ. “In times of rising costs and tight credit markets, they focus on managing costs, supporting their people, and select investments aimed at improving customer service and productivity. This kind of disciplined approach is what defines successful middle-market companies and helping our clients identify the most impactful investment opportunities is where CBIZ provides real value.”
Other noteworthy findings from the Q4 2025 Mid-Market Pulse include:
- Digital tailwind:
44% said AI and digital transformation benefited their business, compared with7% who reported harm. - Policy impact: Reaction to the One Big Beautiful Bill Act remains divided, as companies work to understand how new tax provisions and compliance changes will affect their operations.
- Sector variation: Construction, healthcare, and consumer products companies continue to experience the greatest strain from labor and supply chain costs.
The CBIZ Mid-Market Pulse presents quarterly feedback gathered from clients and client service professionals spanning industries like construction, real estate, financial services, technology, and consumer and industrial products.
The full report is available for download here.
About CBIZ
CBIZ, Inc. is a leading professional services advisor to middle-market businesses and organizations nationwide. With unmatched industry knowledge and expertise in accounting, tax, advisory, benefits, insurance, and technology, CBIZ delivers forward-thinking insights and actionable solutions to help clients anticipate what's next and discover new ways to accelerate growth. CBIZ has more than 10,000 team members across more than 160 locations in 22 major markets coast to coast. For more information, visit www.cbiz.com.
Amy McGahan CBIZ, Inc. amy.mcgahan@cbiz.com
FAQ
What did CBIZ report in the Q4 2025 Mid‑Market Pulse for CBZ?
How many respondents contributed to the CBIZ Q4 2025 Mid‑Market Pulse survey?
What percent of mid‑market leaders said AI and digital helped their business in Q4 2025?
Which sectors did CBIZ identify as most strained in the Q4 2025 Pulse?
What cost issues will shape mid‑market strategies into 2026 for CBZ shareholders?
