The National Center for the Middle Market's Q2 2013 Middle Market Indicator reported that revenue grew in the middle market by nearly 6% in the first half of 2013, and expectations were for revenue from this sector to continue to outpace growth from S&P 500 companies by a significant amount over the second half of the year.  Similarly, Vistage's Q2 2013 CEO Confidence Index of CEOs from small- to mid-sized businesses noted a much higher confidence rate (96.7) than the index from Q2 2012 (92.8). Though it's early to discern what -- if any -- effect the government shutdown had on confidence and investment as we move into Q4, signs persist for strong gains in revenue, employment and confidence from midmarket leaders.