middle market firms

The US dollar held steady as rising tensions between the United States and Iran pushed oil prices higher and strengthened expectations that the Federal Reserve will keep interest rates elevated. Markets are weighing the inflationary impact of costlier oil against the risk of a wider Middle East conflict, with traders positioning for a hawkish Fed stance.

Prices for second-hand supertankers have risen above the price of newly built vessels, a reversal driven by surging shipping costs. Middle East states are moving to secure their own tanker fleets, allowing state oil companies to reduce their reliance on third-party shipping firms and take direct control of how their oil is moved to market.

New reporting indicates that middle market companies face the greatest difficulty building a business case for technology upgrades, more than smaller or larger firms. The finding highlights how mid-sized businesses often lack both the resources of large enterprises and the flexibility of small companies when weighing the return on investment for new technology spending.

HGGC is a private equity firm based in Palo Alto, California, that invests in middle-market companies, with a particular focus on technology and services businesses. The firm pursues buyouts and growth investments in mid-sized companies across these sectors, positioning itself as an active investor in the middle-market technology and services space.