JPMorgan finds AI stocks added $5 trillion to Amercians household wealth, but not for everybody

Market Trends & Economic Disparities - AI stocks gains have added $5 trillion to household wealth in the last year [1] - Americans gained over $63 trillion in wealth from Q1 2020 through Q2 2025 [1] - The stock market is performing well, but the average household doesn't seem to be participating [2] - The economy is K-shaped, with the upper end driving consumer spending and the lower end struggling with inflation [4] - The lower-income cohort is at or near a recession, with unemployment rates twice the national average [4][5][6] Equity Ownership & Wealth Distribution - 62% of Americans own US equities [3] - Equity ownership is bifurcated: 84% for households with over $100,000, and 22% for households with under $50,000 [3] - Asset holders, including those holding stocks, metals, and crypto, have generally done well [10] Retail & Consumer Behavior - A K-shaped economy is playing out across retail and fast food [7][8] - Wendy's reported almost a 5% decline in same-store sales in the US [7] - McDonald's is resonating with low-income consumers by offering value meals at $5 and $8 price points [8] - Student loan repayments are hurting Gen Z [9] Investment Strategies & Inflation - Those who waited for a better time to enter the market effectively "shorted" the market [11] - People are buying assets to get ahead of inflation, as the value of money decreases [12]