Core Insights - Middle-income families are adjusting to a prolonged period of higher living costs, with 49% stating their main financial goal is to keep up with rising expenses [1] - The financial outlook for these families is stabilizing, but many still face significant financial stress and misconceptions about seeking financial guidance [1] Group 1: Financial Sentiment and Goals - 38% of middle-income Americans describe their relationship with financial stress as "it's complicated," indicating a disconnect between economic indicators and personal financial realities [1] - Nearly half (47%) of middle-income families prioritize paying down debt as a key financial goal for the year [1] - 69% of households reported delaying major purchases or expenses in 2025, with car purchases and home repairs being the most common delays [1] Group 2: Economic Outlook - 59% of middle-income Americans expect the U.S. economy to worsen in the next year, while only 24% anticipate improvement [1] - One-third (34%) of middle-income Americans expect to be financially worse off in the coming year, with similar sentiments remaining unchanged over the past six months [1] - The percentage of respondents who believe their income is falling behind the cost of living has increased slightly, with 68% reporting this sentiment [1] Group 3: Financial Guidance and Preparedness - 37% of households not working with a financial professional believe they do not have enough money to need one, while 35% think the cost of financial guidance is too high [1] - 62% of respondents reported having an emergency fund that could cover an expense of $1,000 or more, showing a slight increase over the past year [1] - A significant majority continue to feel it is difficult to save for the future, with 70% rating their ability to save as "not so good" or "poor" [1]

Group 1 - Equitable Holdings (NYSE:EQH) is recognized as one of the best financial pure plays under $100, with a bullish rating initiated by Mizuho Securities analyst Yaron Kinar, who set a price target of $66, indicating over 37% upside potential from current levels [1] - Kinar's positive outlook is attributed to a strong preference for life insurance businesses, where Equitable Holdings has a significant presence through a comprehensive suite of products, including Variable Universal Life, Indexed Universal Life, Term Life insurance, and Annuities [2] - As of December 30, Equitable Holdings received coverage from 8 analysts, with 6 assigning Buy ratings and 2 giving Hold ratings, leading to a median 1-year price target of $63, which implies nearly 31% upside from the current market price [3] Group 2 - Equitable Holdings is a leading financial services firm in the United States, providing retirement plans, wealth management, insurance, and protection services, along with a diverse array of products [4]