Wells Fargo CEO sees 'more downside' to U.S. economy as lower-income consumers struggle

Economic Overview - Wells Fargo CEO Charles Scharf highlighted a significant disparity between higher-income and lower-income consumers, indicating that while corporations and affluent individuals are thriving, lower-income Americans are facing financial difficulties [1][2] - Scharf noted that lower-income consumers are depleting their savings, with their account balances falling below pre-pandemic levels, suggesting they are living on the edge financially [2] Employment and Economic Indicators - Scharf's comments came in the context of a broader discussion about the U.S. economy, particularly following JPMorgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon's remarks on a Labor Department report indicating economic weakening, with hiring slowing significantly and a downward revision of job creation by 911,000 positions for the year through March [3] - Despite the current positive sentiment in certain sectors, Scharf acknowledged that the overall job data indicates undeniable challenges, suggesting a more cautious outlook [3][4] Consumer Spending Trends - The spending patterns among different income levels show stability among higher-income consumers, while lower-income groups are exhibiting signs of stress, which could lead to potential economic challenges [1][4] - Scharf emphasized that while the current economic conditions may feel good relative to expectations, the benefits are not evenly distributed across wealth spectrums, indicating a potential for more downside than upside in the future [4]