watch nowThe gap between the best and worse off Americans is growing — and economists don't see an end in sight.The "K-shaped" economy has been top of mind for consumers, corporate leaders, policymakers and investors since the Covid pandemic drastically reshaped Americans' financial habits almost six years ago. But economists now warn that this two-speed economic structure is a core feature — rather than a passing fad — within the world's largest economy."This is not a cyclical or temporary phenomena," said ...

Former White House communications director and SkyBridge Capital founder Anthony Scaramucci is sounding the alarm on what he described as a widening gap between financial reality and “basic stability” in the United States. No ‘Breathing Room’ For Most Americans On Tuesday, in a post on X, Scaramucci highlighted the financial tightrope that most Americans are forced to walk every day, saying that it takes an income of $131,000 just to “live with some breathing room” in the country, which he said includes ...

The Federal Reserve on Wednesday held interest rates steady at 3.50% to 3.75%, attempting to project an image of stability as the U.S. financial landscape splits into two jarring realities: a stock market at record heights and a currency under pressure. The decision, widely expected by 97% of investors, arrived just as the S&P 500 crossed the psychological 7,000-point threshold for the first time in history. But the euphoria in equities—“AMERICA IS BACK!!!” President Donald Trump cried on Truth Social—was ...

Group 1: Economic Outlook - Economists are optimistic about the economy, with forecasts indicating a growth rate of 5.4% annualized in the fourth quarter, the fastest since the pandemic recession [2] - Consumer sentiment has fallen to its lowest level since 2014, indicating a disconnect between economic growth and public perception [1][3] Group 2: Consumer Spending Dynamics - Consumer spending remains robust, driven primarily by high-income households, while lower- and middle-income households face financial struggles [4][5] - The disparity in wealth distribution has increased, with top earners accounting for a larger share of wealth and spending compared to previous decades [4] Group 3: Inflation and Economic Perception - Inflation has significantly eroded the purchasing power of lower-income households, contributing to negative consumer sentiment despite positive GDP indicators [5][6] - The disconnect between economic data and consumer sentiment is attributed to rising costs of living and negative media coverage of economic news [7] Group 4: K-Shaped Economic Recovery - The economy is described as "K-shaped," where wealthier households benefit from stock market gains while average households experience financial deterioration [8]

United Airlines jet at an airport gate with ground crew and baggage cart, reflecting strong travel demand. Key Points United Airlines stock jumped after earnings confirmed strong demand from premium and corporate travelers. Analysts see more than 20% upside as price targets rise following solid guidance. Traders eye momentum near 52-week highs while long-term investors focus on valuation and earnings durability. Interested in United Airlines Holdings Inc? Here are five stocks we like better. Unite ...

Tide. Duracell. Pantene. Pampers. Cascade. Charmin. Pepto-Bismol. Old Spice. All are brands and properties falling under Procter & Gamble’s umbrella, and they’ve helped to lift the company’s stock more than 10,000% since the 1980s. But in more recent times, the vaunted conglomerate has struggled to attract the right kind of market attention. While the stock remains on most dividend investors’ radar, its investable star has faded slightly. Procter & Gamble’s most recent quarterly earnings, released Thurs ...

A financially stretched US consumer continues to power mixed earnings results at P&G. Proctor & Gamble (PG) shares fell 1.5% in pre-market trading on Thursday as the company's second fiscal quarter sales missed estimates in the grooming, fabric care, and baby categories as consumers traded down to cheaper private label options. P&G did beat earnings estimates and maintain its full year outlook. "We are seeing sales growth in our categories in the US and Europe, albeit at a slower pace," Proctor & Gambl ...

These systems are deeply imperfect, and trust in them has eroded for good reason. While wages rose after the pandemic, the cost of housing, healthcare, and other necessities rose faster, leaving many households feeling less secure. But the failure of existing systems does not make volatility a solution. It makes stability more, not less, important.The reason becomes clearer when you start with what wealth-building actually requires. Wealth that lasts is built on stability, not volatility. It looks like a pa ...

DoorDash is trying to retain customers at the higher and lower ends of the income spectrum.One of the biggest themes driving the U.S. economy and stock market right now is the idea of the "K-shaped economy." In a K-shaped economy, people at the top of the income scale get richer, while lower-income people's purchasing power declines. A widening gap, like two arms of the letter K, develops between higher- and lower-income households.As of Q2 2025, nearly 50% of U.S. retail spending came from the top 10% of e ...

A British hedge fund made $18.9 billion for its investors in 2025, marking the largest annual dollar gain ever recorded by such a fund, even as concerns about widening inequality plague the U.S. economy. TCI Fund Management, which had $77 billion in its coffers as of last month, made a return of 27% last year, according to an annual survey conducted by finance firm Edmond de Rothschild Group. For context, the broad S&P 500 index returned 16.4%. While many investors have loaded up on superstar stocks that ...