Yahoo Finance·2026-01-02 17:03Core Insights - The world's 500 wealthiest individuals experienced a record increase in their fortunes, totaling $2.2 trillion in 2025, bringing their combined net worth to nearly $12 trillion, driven by gains in stocks, cryptocurrencies, and commodities [1] Group 1: Wealth Growth and Key Contributors - Big Tech companies significantly contributed to the wealth increase, with eight individuals accounting for about a quarter of the index's gains, predominantly from the tech sector [2] - Elon Musk maintained his position as the richest individual, with a net worth of nearly $623 billion, reflecting an increase of over $190 billion despite challenges faced by Tesla [3] - Larry Ellison briefly surpassed Musk as the world's richest man due to a surge in Oracle's share price, which increased by around 25% in September, following a major contract announcement [4] Group 2: Political and Market Influences - Donald Trump and his family's net worth rose to $6.8 billion, with a notable increase of $282 million, largely attributed to ventures in real estate, social media, and financial services [5] - The S&P 500 Index saw a 17% annual increase, while international markets outperformed it, with the U.K.'s FTSE 100 and Hong Kong's Hang Seng gaining 22% and 27%, respectively [6] Group 3: Commodities and Safe Haven Assets - Precious metals had a standout year, with significant investments in safe haven assets like gold and silver, alongside high demand for copper and rare earths essential for green energy production [7]