Mirus Middle Market Monitor Economic Overview

This document is a market brief that outlines economic indicators for January 2026, highlighting various labor market statistics and shifts in consumer confidence. The unemployment rate remains steady at 4.3%, with total nonfarm payroll employment increasing by 130,000 jobs, particularly in construction, healthcare, and social assistance sectors. However, the Consumer Confidence Index has dropped significantly by 9.7 points to 84.5, indicating potential economic challenges ahead, as both the Present Situation Index and Expectations Index have also declined. The report further details the performance of the S&P Cotality Case-Shiller U.S. National Home Price Index, which recorded a 1.4% annual gain, suggesting a period of tepid growth in the housing market. Additionally, the Consumer Price Index showed a rise of 2.4% year-over-year. The document concludes with an overview of public market performance and notable mergers and acquisitions, indicating robust activity in the middle market, particularly within technology and healthcare sectors.