# Middle Market CFOs Delay Spending Due to Uncertainty

> Middle market CFOs hold back capital spending as economic uncertainty grows
- Title: Middle Market CFOs Delay Spending Due to Uncertainty · Pymnts
- Summary: Middle market CFOs hold back capital spending as economic uncertainty grows 59% of firms with rising certainty increased capital spending versus 12% with…
- Keywords: middle market, cfo, capital spending, certainty, us companies, revenue, pymnts, intelligence, 2026, business, finance, Middle
- Source: Pymnts — https://pymnts.com/back-office/cfo/2026/uncertainty-holds-back-middle-market-cfos-spending-plans
- Author: PYMNTS
- Published: 2026-09-22T08:00:24+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: middle market, cfo, capital spending, certainty, us companies, revenue, pymnts, intelligence, 2026, business, finance
## Certainty Drives Spending
59% of firms with rising certainty increased capital spending compared to 12% with declining certainty
## Quick Spending Adjustments
57% of firms adjust capital spending within three months of certainty shifts
## Protecting Core Operations
58% of CFOs cut capital spending when uncertainty rises, but only 7% reduce maintenance spending
## Key Uncertainty Sources
27% cite customer demand as biggest uncertainty factor, followed by interest rates and financing costs
## Expansion Plans Remain
47% of firms plan to increase capital spending within next 12 months despite uncertainty
## Key takeaway

59% of firms with rising certainty increased capital spending versus 12% with declining certainty