Third-quarter earnings are indicating a divided economy

Core Viewpoint - Wall Street is observing a bifurcated or "K-shaped" economy as consumer spending behaviors diverge, with wealthier Americans increasing their spending while lower-income consumers are cutting back significantly [1][2]. Consumer Spending Trends - Wealthier Americans are spending more, benefiting from stock market gains and rising home values, while lower-income consumers are facing challenges due to inflation, with the Consumer Price Index showing a 0.3% monthly increase and an annual inflation rate of 3% [2][4]. - Companies like Chipotle report that consumers earning less than $100,000, representing about 40% of their customer base, are spending less frequently due to economic concerns, leading to a 0.8% decline in traffic for the quarter [6]. Earnings Reports and Company Responses - Recent earnings reports indicate the emergence of the K-shaped trend, with companies such as Yum Brands, McDonald's, E.l.f. Beauty, Tapestry, and Under Armour expected to report similar trends in their upcoming quarterly earnings [5]. - Coca-Cola's growth is driven by higher-priced products, while Procter & Gamble noted that wealthier customers are purchasing more from club retailers, contrasting with lower-income shoppers who are significantly reducing their spending [7]. - McDonald's has acknowledged the "two-tier economy" by expanding its value menu in response to changing consumer behaviors [8].